Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran requested an earlier effective date for adding his spouse to his nonservice-connected pension benefits, but the Board found that no such request was made within one year of the April 2012 determination removing his spouse from the award. The earliest allowable effective date is May 7, 2018.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred during a non-VA emergency room visit on September 29, 2019 are now covered by VA. The treatment was deemed necessary due to the severity of his injuries from a motorcycle accident and the unavailability of VA facilities in a timely manner.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, and the Board dismissed it due to lack of allegations for appellate consideration.

The Board dismissed the claim for increased payment of medical services provided by MGHI due to a Veterans Care Agreement, as it is not within the jurisdiction of the Board.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding whether the contractual payment rate for home health services provided by MGHAL from February 5, 2020 to February 28, 2020 is proper due to a specific administrative dispute resolution process that does not allow for appellate review.

The Board has granted service connection for left hand tendinopathy and tenosynovitis, as well as right hand tendinopathy and tenosynovitis. The conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for a waiver of recoupment of VA benefits due to separation pay is denied. The Board found that the statutory and regulatory provisions do not authorize such a waiver.

The Veteran's application for eligibility in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) was denied. The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate notice provided by the AOJ and the need to correct this error based on a judicial decision.

The Veteran's claim for Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the lack of clarity regarding his work history and the need for additional private treatment records. The Board also requests that the Veteran complete a VA Form 21-8940, which he was previously informed could result in the denial of his claim if not completed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic hiccups as secondary to his service-connected ventral hernia.

The Board denied the claim for retroactive adjustment of the Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits for calendar year 2020 based on unreimbursed medical expenses, finding no pending claim at the time of his death and that the evidence was not in VA's possession on or before the date of the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for gastritis and frequent indigestion, finding that there is no current disability and insufficient evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board dismissed the appeal because it is a dispute over payment under a Veterans Care Agreement (VCA) and does not involve service connection. The appellant was paid in full for services provided to the Veteran.

The Board denied the claims for DIC benefits, accrued benefits, and survivors' pension benefits due to lack of new and relevant evidence within one year of the previous denials.

The appeals for increased disability rating and earlier effective date have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the proposal to terminate special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance/housebound status as it was not a final decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for facet joint arthropathy with mechanical back pain syndrome, finding that his current low back disability is related to an in-service injury during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims due to errors in obtaining necessary evidence and for further development.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for a month-of-death payment as she is not recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse due to her divorce from him prior to his death.

The Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.