Other conditions decisions — 2025

The appeal regarding the reduction and termination of pension benefits was dismissed as no justiciable case or controversy remained, with the benefit sought effectively granted in full.

The Board granted service connection for left hip arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the condition had onset in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right fifth toe conditions, as well as his right and left hip conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for revision of a March 2009 rating decision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) as it found no outcome-determinative error in the original decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal, finding that his pension benefits were properly terminated and reduced due to a lack of timely submission of required information regarding marital status and medical expenses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation starting July 2, 2021, thus an earlier effective date of July 2, 2021 for the award of a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board remands the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent and an earlier effective date for service connection for adjustment disorder due to a need for a new VA examination.

The Board remands the matter to obtain and associate with the electronic record, the Veteran's complete VHA claims file, including any VHA file evidence, to determine whether the claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during non-VA hospital care on June 26, 2020, is warranted.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the addition of the Veteran's spouse and her child as dependents, finding that no evidence was submitted within one year of their respective events.

Eligibility for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a January 2024 rating decision is granted.

The Board denied service connection for tonsillar/throat cancer, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's condition and his military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for insomnia, effective from September 12, 2022.

The appeal was dismissed as the proposed rating reductions and discontinuation of special monthly compensation were not final decisions.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected disc protrusion of the thoracic spine, as the evidence did not demonstrate forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or ankylosis.

The Board remands the claim for further development, including obtaining private medical treatment records from Dr. R.K. and an addendum medical opinion.

The appeal for an earlier effective date was dismissed as the March 2005 Board decision which assigned May 26, 1993, as the effective date for a 10 percent disability rating for residuals of a shell fragment wound is final.

The Board granted an initial 30 percent disability rating for onychomycosis of the bilateral toes, as the condition results in painful discolored and thickened toenails affecting five or more toes.

The appeal for service connection for an inguinal hernia was withdrawn by the Veteran through his attorney, and the claim is dismissed.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for further development of evidence.