Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and increased rating for paroxysmal supraventricular arrhythmia was denied. The Board found no evidence of a prior claim, and the current condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to extend his delimiting date for VA educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33, as he did not have more than 90 days of qualifying active duty service subsequent to June 19, 2009.

The Veteran's right elbow arthritis and strain are not rated higher than the current evaluations, with the exception of a reduction in the evaluation for right elbow strain from 20 percent to 10 percent effective October 1, 2020 which has been restored.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the etiology of the Veteran's removal of his right testicle and infertility, which were incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip tear as secondary to his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his bilateral eye disabilities, bilateral foot conditions, and migraine headaches.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and 38 U.S.C. § 1110 for opioid addiction due to incomplete evidence, including missing private treatment records of his pain management specialist and a lack of a clinical diagnosis of opioid use disorder. The Board also requested an appropriate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's contentions under both 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection principles.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is not eligible for benefits under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to a lack of personal care services and supervision. The decision is being remanded to provide a new medical opinion regarding eligibility.

The Board has granted service connection for right lateral collateral ligament sprain and left lateral collateral ligament sprain, finding that the Veteran's ankle conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for iron deficiency anemia and restless leg syndrome, left leg, have been granted.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 4, 2019 for a 60 percent rating for Interstitial Cystitis (IC), but the decision is vacated regarding the denial of an even earlier effective date. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered under the rules of the evidence submission docket.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a ruptured spleen, finding that there is at least an even balance of evidence to support the claim and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted the appeals for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical services incurred on June 11, 2019, June 13, 2019, and August 20, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroenteritis and right knee strain and degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board dismissed the appeal as it was improperly docketed under the modernized review system and did not apply to this legacy appeals system issue.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the May 1, 2024 letter pertaining to apportionment as there was no final decision subject to appeal.

The Veteran's application for PCAFC benefits was denied due to not meeting the eligibility requirements under the program. The Board is remanding the case for a new medical determination and proper notice.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition was denied as there is no persuasive evidence that the current cervical spine disorder began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for nausea was also denied as he does not have a currently diagnosed disability of nausea.

The Board has granted service connection for Crohn's disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed because the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the claim for payment or reimbursement of medical services provided by a non-VA facility.