Other conditions decisions — 2025

The Board remands the matter for further development, including obtaining the appellant's ALJ hearing transcript and records from the Veteran's funeral home.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily hearing loss and tinnitus, prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment from December 29, 2014 to October 16, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need of regular aid and attendance, as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for liver laceration and service connection for amblyopia, left eye and intraocular lens.

The appeal concerning entitlement to payment of the cost of non-VA medical services provided on September 1, 2021, is denied.

The Board granted service connection for minimal bibasilar atelectasis post pneumonia, finding it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service diagnosis of pneumonia.

The Board remands the issue of eligibility for benefits under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The appeal was denied because the non-emergency medical services provided on July 31, 2021, were not authorized by VA.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for the 2020 calendar year was granted due to his left ankle brace causing wear and tear on his pants.

The appeal concerning entitlement to payment of the cost of non-VA medical services provided on April 4, 2021, was denied due to lack of VA authorization.

The appeal regarding the character of the Veteran's service is dismissed as there was no VA decision to challenge.

The appeal for direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the January 5, 2024 dependency decision was denied.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for 2021 due to wear and tear caused by her manual wheelchair.

The Board granted an effective date of February 1, 2020 for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance based on permanent and total disability status, and special monthly compensation based upon housebound status.

The Board granted entitlement to additional attorney fees in excess of $629.00 based on the past-due benefits awarded pursuant to an October 2023 rating decision.

The Veteran is not competent to manage the disbursement of VA funds.

The appeal regarding attorney fees from the past-due benefits awarded in the January 2024 rating decision was dismissed due to a waiver by the Veteran's former attorney and the withdrawal of the appellant.

The appeal concerning entitlement to payment of the cost of non-emergency, non-VA medical services provided on August 20, 2021, is denied.

The appeal concerning entitlement to payment of the cost of non-VA medical services provided on February 16, 2021, is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD and TDIU, as it was not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred prior to April 29, 2019.