Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for back pay was denied as he chose retirement pay over disability compensation, and there is no exception available to retroactively reverse this decision.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his total disability rating due to unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, as the May 2023 supplemental claim was accepted in error.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of ambulance expenses incurred on December 30, 2023 is being remanded due to incomplete evidence and the need to properly consider his income and eligibility under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service is not considered active duty for 90 days or more during a period of war, and he does not have a service-connected disability related to his discharge from active duty. Therefore, the claim for non-service-connected disability pension benefits is denied.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a VA compensation debt of $10,394.00 has been dismissed as the Veteran and his representative have withdrawn their appeal.

The Board has granted an effective date of September [REDACTED], 2016, for the award of additional dependency benefits based on school attendance for the Veteran's child, T., who turned 18 years old in that month. The decision is based on evidence showing that T. began attending college full-time and submitted a claim within one year of her commencement.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for helpless child benefits on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 for his child N.M. before a decision was made.

The Veteran's carotid artery disease is related to his in-service herbicide exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The appeal for service connection of a right ankle fracture is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for survivor's pension benefits due to her countable income exceeding the applicable maximum annual pension rate (MAPR). The MAPR was $9,344 as of December 1, 2020. The appellant had verified income that exceeded this amount.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cancer of the liver, gall bladder, and lymph nodes due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's active duty service is considered in determining whether there is a nexus between his disabilities and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not a fugitive felon during the period from September 27, 2017 to December 5, 2017 and therefore compensation benefits were improperly terminated. As such, any overpayment of $7,805.24 must be reimbursed.

The Veteran's March 18, 2020 request for Higher-Level Review was timely filed due to a previously submitted extension request.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for keyhole defect, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability as reasonably associated with the keyhole defect, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are all remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip/thigh disability may be related to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus remands for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic angioedema, finding that new and relevant evidence supports this decision. The condition was diagnosed during active duty and is linked to a pre-existing service-connected condition (chronic urticaria).

The Veteran withdrew their appeal seeking payment or reimbursement for non-VA medical services provided on January 8, 2019. The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is presumed exposed to burn pits during his service aboard USS Dixon, which may be relevant to his myofascial pain syndrome and fatigue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a procedural error in obtaining an examination for the Veteran's brain aneurysm, which is related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has decided that the appellant is entitled to apportionment funds in the amount of $17,271.80 but did not provide a detailed accounting or basis for this decision. The case is being remanded to clarify these details.