Other conditions decisions — 2025

The Veteran is granted an effective date of May 17, 2018, for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The veteran was granted a 40% rating for their herniated nucleus pulposus, L5-S1 both prior to July 31, 2017 and from September 1, 2017.

The Board denied the claim for burial benefits because the Veteran was not receiving VA compensation or pension benefits at the time of death and did not meet other eligibility criteria.

The appeal for reimbursement of non-VA ambulance services on July 19, 2023, is dismissed because the VA already granted payment.

The appeal for service connection of hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) is remanded. The Board found that a VA opinion should have been obtained prior to the rating decision.

The veteran's daughter sought service-connected burial benefits, but the VA denied the claim because there was no evidence that the veteran's death was due to a service-connected disability.

The veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. However, the veteran's requests for increased ratings for left arm and right arm conditions were denied.

The Board granted an effective date of October 17, 2016 for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The veteran's claim for service connection of pituitary adenoma with left eye ptosis is granted. The decision is based on the synergistic, combined effect of all toxic exposure risk activities during his military service.

The appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on being housebound was dismissed because the benefit was already granted and no further disagreement was filed.

The appeal for payment of non-VA medical care on February 18, 2021, was dismissed because the VA already approved payment.

The veteran's claim for accrued benefits was denied because it was filed more than 55 years after the veteran's death, making it untimely.

The appeal for a higher level review of the denial of service connection for urinary tract infection was dismissed because it was not filed within the required time frame.

The Veteran's appeal for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship was denied because he was not enrolled in an eligible program leading to a teaching certification or a qualifying STEM degree.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA.

The appeal for payment of non-VA medical care costs was dismissed because the VA already approved the payment.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of other specified stressor or trauma related disorder was granted to June 27, 2012. However, the claims for higher ratings during specific periods were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance and functional loss of use of three extremities was granted. The effective date for these benefits is February 18, 2022.

The Board granted recognition of the Appellant as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA death benefits. The decision was based on evidence showing continuous cohabitation and no fault by the Appellant in the separation.