Other conditions decisions — 2025

The appeals for service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder and bruxism were withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Board remands the issue of eligibility to the direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a September 17, 2021 rating decision.

The Board remands the claim for a TDIU to address the Veteran's employability due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected condition aggravated his cause of death.

The Board denied the appellant's eligibility for direct payment of fees from past due benefits awarded in an April 2024 rating decision granting a higher left knee disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining employment consistent with his occupational and vocational experience, thus granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The appeal concerning the Veteran's claim for service connection for gynecological conditions has been withdrawn and is dismissed.

The appeal for benefits under VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is dismissed due to the extension of eligibility for legacy PCAFC participants.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of August 1, 1989 or November 1, 2011 for his service-connected dysthymic disorder.

The Board denied entitlement to SMC in excess of the intermediate rate between 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) and (m) prior to July 26, 2023, but granted assignment of SMC at the rate under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(m) based on two intermediate half-step increases from July 26, 2023.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for eligibility for authorization of service connected infertility services, to include ART or IVF due to not meeting the required criteria.

The appeal for the direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a February 2024 rating decision is granted.

The Board remands the claim for an increased rating for a bilateral eye disability to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including inadequate VA examinations.

The appeals for entitlement to clothing allowances for left and right knee braces for the calendar year 2019 were dismissed due to untimely notice of disagreement. The appeal for a clothing allowance for the calendar year 2020 was remanded for further action.

The Board remands the matter of entitlement to higher nonservice-connected pension benefits payments, at the aid and attendance rate, due to deficiencies in the Veteran's application.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right finger conditions due to a lack of evidence supporting their existence during or near the time of his claim. The claims for left and right hip strain were remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as there was no evidence showing a factual need for such assistance.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an extension of the delimiting date beyond November 9, 2023, for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33 due to a lack of evidence showing that his disability prevented him from initiating or completing his program of education.

The Board granted reimbursement for travel expenses to the Syracuse VA Medical Center for massage therapy on March 17, 2023.