Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's remaining entitlement to VA educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33 is more than previously calculated, and additional records are needed to accurately determine his use of education benefits.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an increased monthly rate of DIC benefits, finding that she is not entitled to such benefits based on the specific statutory and regulatory guidelines governing entitlement to DIC benefits.

The Veteran's claim for SMC is granted as he needs regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected schizoaffective disorder.,Entitlement to an earlier effective date for the acquired psychiatric condition prior to October 4, 2012, is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ingrown toenails are related to his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in 1987, and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for trigger finger, right hand fifth finger was denied. The Board found that the effective date of the grant of service connection cannot be earlier than July 5, 2017, and an initial compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for ascending aortic aneurysm, finding that his condition is related to in-service treatment with Ciprofloxacin (Cipro). The Board determined that the evidence was in equipoise and resolved all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided that the VA home loan guaranty benefits claim needs to be reviewed again due to incomplete records. The AOJ must obtain and include all relevant post-service VA records, including any previous loan guarantee documents and notices of denial.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Board found that the overpayment of VA compensation benefits was properly created due to the Veteran's failure to notify VA of his change in marital status, resulting in an overpayment. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as the withholding of VA disability compensation due to receipt of VA compensation and military pay for 117 days in fiscal year 2019 was proper.

The Veteran's appeal for a later effective date to remove his deceased spouse from his VA disability compensation award is denied. The Board found that the RO acted appropriately in assigning the proper effective date.

The Veteran's death was caused by glioblastoma multiforme, which is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death based on this presumption.

The Veteran's appeals for TDIU and DEA benefits were dismissed as the RO restored these benefits effective March 1, 2024.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) is related to his in-service exposure at Camp Lejeune, and thus service connection for PNH is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's gynecological disabilities, including infertility and right fallopian tube removal, are being reviewed for service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the Veteran withdrew it before a decision was made.

The Veteran's cause of death is related to service, specifically exposure to herbicides and/or asbestos. New evidence has been submitted supporting this claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the spine, finding that there is not an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence to support the claim.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the direct payment of attorney fees based on past due benefits awarded in a May 2023 rating decision is dismissed because the Veteran had a non-withholding fee agreement with R.V.C. and had already paid R.V.C. directly.