Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for frontotemporal lobe degeneration without behavioral disturbance (dementia) with primary progressive aphasia. The claims file must be reviewed, and a medical opinion is needed to determine if the condition was caused by exposure to nerve agents during service or related to ionizing radiation exposure.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion and incomplete informed consent records.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 18, 2008 for the award of SMC based on need of regular aid and attendance. However, the Veteran's entitlement to a higher rate of SMC at the (t) rate due to service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury is denied.

The Board has determined that the AOJ failed to obtain an adequate examination regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for multiple myeloma due to exposure to chemicals and laser radiation. The case is being remanded to address these DTA errors.

The Veteran and the appellant were never married under legal or common law, and therefore, the appellant is not recognized as the surviving spouse for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that the eligibility determination for the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is legally inadequate and requires a more detailed medical opinion to support the decision.

The Veteran's bladder carcinoma, status post transurethral resection of bladder tumor, is granted effective from August 10, 2022, due to the PACT Act.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for anorexia, including as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's anorexia is being examined by VA due to a lack of a VA examination in her case.

The Veteran's lodging expenses were not pre-authorized, and the Board denied his claim for reimbursement of beneficiary travel expenses for lodging associated with a December 7, 2022, non-VA medical facility.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the claim for payment of non-VA medical services provided on September 14, 2020, was administratively approved.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no final decision can be made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hodgkin's lymphoma is denied as there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure or a direct relationship to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's thoracic outlet syndrome and service, as well as its connection to her service-connected GERD.

The Board denied recognition of N. as the Veteran's dependent child for VA purposes due to lack of legal adoption, despite the Veteran having custody and providing care.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical services provided by Yale Medical Center on October 11, 2022 is dismissed because no claim was filed with the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for loss of use of one hand and one foot was granted. An effective date of January 10, 2020, is granted for the 100 percent rating. The issue of an increased rating for bowel impairment associated with CVA is dismissed as there is no evidence of such symptoms in the year prior to June 5, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case as he is deceased.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hamstring disability due to inadequate examination and consideration of flare-ups. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the service-connected disability.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for bilateral pterygium, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's insomnia began during his active service and is therefore granted as a direct service connection.