Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for voiding dysfunction has been withdrawn, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's left sided inguinal hernia is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7338. The Board finds that entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left sided inguinal hernia from May 30, 2019 is not warranted due to the lack of evidence showing the hernia being recurrent or not well supported by truss.

The Veteran's active duty service was not creditable for Chapter 33 educational assistance benefits due to the nature of his service, and thus he is denied eligibility.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically the need to obtain the Appellant's service personnel records (SPRs). The Board also requested an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the relationship between the Appellant's Wegener's Granulomatosis and his military service. The exposure basis is noted as 'none' since there was no indication of any specific environmental exposures in the record.

The appeal concerning the payment of non-VA emergency medical services provided on May 4, 2019, has been dismissed as the claim was administratively approved by VA.

The appeal is dismissed as the claims for payment of non-VA medical care provided by Vold Vision on specific dates have been resolved through administrative action.

The Board has determined that there are missing records related to the non-VA medical services provided from November 14, 2018, to November 17, 2018. The Veteran's other health insurance may have covered the costs, but this is unclear. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request for a hearing and indicated satisfaction with his most recent increase in disability ratings.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left hip strain prior to March 2, 2020 and for left hip limitation of flexion and rotation/adduction from March 2, 2020 have been denied.,The claim seeking a compensable rating for left hip limitation of flexion has been dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's Alzheimer's disease, which was the cause of his death in June 2018, is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient response from the VA examiner regarding the etiology and pathogenesis of dry eye syndrome, specifically in relation to the Veteran's exposure to fiberglass fragments during service.

The Board denied service connection for a dental condition for compensation purposes as there is no evidence of loss of teeth due to the loss of substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible, and the masticatory surfaces can be restored by suitable prosthesis.

The Board granted an apportionment of $628 per month to the appellant from the Veteran's disability compensation, finding that the Veteran was not reasonably discharging his responsibility for support and considering the special needs of both parties.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw their appeal regarding basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for recognition of R.T. as his spouse for dependent benefits due to lack of evidence supporting a valid common law marriage, despite their intention and public acknowledgment.

The Board has remanded the claim for eligibility to benefits under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to inadequate medical opinion and insufficient notice.

The Board has decided that the notification of the decision was legally inadequate and there is a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The case is being remanded for an adequate medical decision.

The Board has granted service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) disability, finding that the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his military service is a strong link to his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs to provide a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right hip disorder is related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating due to hospital treatment in excess of 21 days was denied because the evidence did not show that her participation in the PTSD Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (PRRTP) constituted hospitalization, and since no new relevant evidence was submitted.