Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for underpayment of benefits was denied as there was no evidence of an underpayment. The Board found that the payments made to the Veteran were correct and appropriate.

The appeal is dismissed because the VA AOJ administratively approved payment for non-VA medical services provided to the Veteran on December 7, 2020.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for TDIU and Dependents Educational Assistance have been dismissed as the appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted an increased rating to 60 percent throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of insomnia has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma is presumed to have been caused by exposure to burn pits and other toxins during his service in Kuwait. Service connection for this condition is granted under the PACT Act, but the effective date cannot be earlier than August 10, 2022.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for testicular cancer with hypofunction/hypogonadism, status post right radical orchiectomy due to duty to assist errors and need for an addendum opinion.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the claim for payment of non-VA medical services provided on August 31, 2017, was resolved in full by administrative action.

The Veteran's appeal for entitlement to a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) was dismissed due to procedural issues. The claim will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's appeal for waiver of overpayment was granted due to the financial hardship and undue hardship caused by the debt, as well as VA's fault in not promptly removing him from his compensation award after learning of his spouse's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibrocystic breast disease was dismissed because she did not timely appeal the March 2021 rating decision and filed a supplemental claim requesting review of the same issue, which constituted an impermissible concurrent election.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a skin disability, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to active service or any exposure to herbicides.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for entitlement to an increased rating for weakness of the right lower extremity with drop foot and for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, as the appellant withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance was granted with an effective date of March 6, 2020. The decision is based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected musculoskeletal conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, finding it is at least as likely as not that symptoms manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service.

The Board dismissed the appeal because it does not have authority to review disputes arising under Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs), which is the exclusive administrative remedy for such disputes.

The Veteran's service-connected right total knee arthroplasty caused his intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) to include lumbar radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremity and left hip bursitis, which are now granted as secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's dysphagia, a service-connected condition, requires regular aid and attendance due to his inability to protect himself from choking hazards. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Veteran appealed the denial of VR&E benefits to pursue a PhD degree, but the Board found that he did not meet the required criteria for such services due to his failure to pursue rehabilitations services and lack of cooperation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for periodontal disease, caries, and abscesses for compensation purposes. The issue of eligibility for outpatient dental treatment is being remanded.