Other conditions decisions — 2025

The Board granted a separate rating for insomnia as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's insomnia is a distinct and separate disability with non-overlapping symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee replacement, depression, plantar fasciitis, right knee joint disease, and left hip joint disease, meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU as of March 1, 2023, and preclude him from securing and following any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his work and educational background.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral flatfeet, left upper extremity tendonitis, and right upper extremity tendonitis as there was no evidence of a current disability during the pendency of the appeal period.

The Board remands the claim for eligibility in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including improper notice and an inadequate medical determination.

The Board remands the service connection claim for a hiatal hernia due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and an AOJ error in satisfying a regulatory or statutory duty (PACT Act).

The Board remands the claim for a pre-decisional duty to assist error based on the precedential rule announced in Veteran Warriors, Inc. v. Sec'y of Veterans Affairs.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of August 24, 2018, for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on permanent and total disability status.

The Board denied the veteran's requests for an extension of time to file a Board Appeal request and dismissed the appeal.

The Board granted service connection for ingrown toenails, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to an in-service injury.

The appeal for an aid and attendance allowance was withdrawn by the appellant.

The overpayment of VA compensation benefits due to divorce in the amount of $1,677.62 is valid; however, recovery would be against equity and good conscience.

The appellant is eligible for direct payment of agent fees based on the July 2024 grant of an increased rating for ischemic heart disease and a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, but not for the grant of an increased rating for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder with unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board remands the matter to correct pre-decisional errors and ensure proper notice is provided in compliance with 38 U.S.C. § 1720G(a)(12).

The appeal for PCAFC benefits is dismissed as the Veteran's eligibility has been extended and there is no remaining case or controversy.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to eligibility for enrollment in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to an inadequate medical opinion and a need for additional evidence.

The Board remands the claim for an opinion addressing whether the Veteran's cause of death is related to his exposure to tactical herbicide agents, including Agent Orange, during service.

The Board remands the claim for eligibility to enroll in PCAFC due to a pre-decisional duty to notify error and an inadequate medical decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits, other than employment services, under the provisions of Chapter 31, as she did not have an employment handicap during the period on appeal.

The appeal regarding eligibility for enrollment in the Department of Veterans Affairs' Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is remanded to obtain a more detailed and thoroughly explained medical opinion.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) from September 10, 2024, based on the service-connected coronary artery disease and additional disabilities rated at least 60 percent combined.