Other conditions decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for hyperlipidemia, but remanded the claims for an eye disorder and left ear pain due to inadequate medical opinions.

The appeal was granted for eligibility to the direct payment of attorney fees based on an increased rating for a gastrointestinal disability and SMC, but denied for other issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a TDIU rating prior to September 29, 2020, and an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for VA burial benefits as the Veteran did not meet the eligibility criteria.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for essential blepharospasm and entitlement to a TDIU due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted eligibility for the direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded to the Veteran pursuant to a February 2024 rating decision.

The appeal as to entitlement to retroactive VA disability compensation benefits is dismissed because the Veteran was granted a one-time retroactive Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) payment, which represents a full grant of the benefit sought on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding that the Veteran's idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran is granted a higher special monthly compensation (SMC) rate under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) due to the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's TDIU is based on a single disability, and she has other separate disabilities that combine to greater than 60 percent disabling. Therefore, the Board grants entitlement to special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date prior to May 7, 2021, for service connection for right hand long finger, index finger, and thumb disabilities.

The Board remands the claim for a new examination to address the private medical report and determine if there is any diagnosed mental health disorder related to service.

The Board remands the service connection claim for mid-lower back pain and degenerative disk disease due to a need for an examination to determine the etiology of the disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for additional VA burial benefits as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran withdrew the appeals for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these matters.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.

The Board denied service connection for a chest pain disability, secondary to the appellant's service-connected PTSD with panic attacks and major depressive disorder, as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of beneficiary travel expenses for a medical appointment at Cascade Medical on June 4, 2025, is granted.

The Board remands the matter to review the validity of a cumulative debt of $19,338.78 and to forward any remaining valid debt for waiver consideration.

The Board remands the matter to conduct a paid and due audit of the Veteran's VA disability compensation benefits for the period from February 26, 2011, to determine if the severance pay has been fully recouped.