Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for obesity as it is not a disability for VA benefits purposes.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for payment of non-VA home health services due to the specific dispute resolution process under Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs), which does not allow for review by the Board. The appeal seeking payment for multiple days of non-VA home health services from October 3, 2019, to November 11, 2019, is dismissed as well.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and duty-to-assist error, as well as the need for a TERA opinion. The Veteran's atrial septal defect is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's right hand condition is denied as the additional disability was not caused by VA fault or an unforeseen event, and there is no evidence of informed consent issues.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for his loss of teeth is being remanded due to the need for corrective action regarding the submission of private dental records.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for dependency benefits for her adopted child A.M. was denied because the adoption occurred more than one year before she notified VA of it, and no new evidence was submitted within a year of notification.

The Veteran's request to extend his delimiting date for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33 was denied as there were no circumstances that would allow for an extension.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits for reimbursement of expenses related to her father's last sickness, finding that the expenses did not qualify as 'last sickness' expenses and were therefore not eligible for reimbursement.

Your appeal for payment of non-VA emergency medical services provided on July 6, 2019 has been resolved by administrative action. The claim was approved and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the need for a VA examination to determine if there is functional impairment associated with vitamin deficiency and whether it is related to service.

The appeal of the issue regarding payment or reimbursement for non-VA medical services provided on February 4 and 5, 2020 is dismissed as there has been no determination by VA.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as insomnia disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's condition had onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for waiver of recovery of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation payments is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not requesting marriage certificates and divorce decrees from the Veteran.

The Veteran's VA benefits were discontinued based on a finding of fugitive felon status. The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran was indeed a fugitive felon and whether the discontinuation was valid.

The Veteran's compensation benefits were reduced due to drill days completed in FY 2017, leading to overpayments. The VA incorrectly assessed and recouped multiple debt amounts, which the Board now requires a formal adjudication to determine if they are valid.

The appeal for payment of the cost of non-VA dental services provided on May 4, 2020, is dismissed as the administrative action approving partial payment constitutes a reversal of the previous denial.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as it pertains to a contractual rate dispute under Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs) and does not involve service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence in the initial determination regarding the Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits and his need for personal care services.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity numbness, finding that the evidence most closely characterizes the functional impact as mild incomplete paralysis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reduction of evaluations related to his bilateral hip disabilities require additional evidence from a private provider, specifically Kaiser Permanente. The case is being remanded to obtain this information.