Other conditions decisions — 2025

The appeal for eligibility of PCAFC benefits was denied due to the death of the Veteran, making it unachievable as both the Veteran and the Primary Family Caregiver applicant are precluded from completing and complying with all applicable requirements of the program.

The Veteran's former attorney is eligible for the direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded from an August 2022 decision that granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for costochondritis, finding that the earliest entitlement arose on July 31, 2023, and the condition was only moderate in severity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for narcolepsy based on the evidence showing no more than 4 cataplectic (narcoleptic) episodes per week and never experiencing a major seizure.

The Board granted the Veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33, as it would be against equity and good conscience to require repayment due to unforeseen events beyond his control.

The Board granted service connection for right elbow lateral epicondylitis, finding that the disability originated during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and TDIU is granted effective November 18, 2019.

The Board remands the issue of eligibility to the direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a June 1, 2023 rating decision for an audit and correction of the pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in an October 2007 rating decision was dismissed due to a procedural defect.

The veteran withdrew the appeal before it was decided.

The appeal was dismissed due to the failure to identify specific issues and non-compliance with claims-processing rules.

The Board denied an effective date prior to October 8, 2014 for the assignment of a 30 percent disability rating for scalp folliculitis with keloid formation and for service connection for all scars from head to toe, linear scars from head to toe, and cholecystectomy residual scars of the anterior trunk region.

The Board granted service connection for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA based on permanent and total disability status, as there was no evidence of entitlement to these benefits prior to January 4, 2022.

The Board vacated the August 6, 2024 decision and denied a higher disability rating for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder as well as entitlement to an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The appeal for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical services was dismissed due to the appellant not being a proper claimant.

The Board remands the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as the Veteran's employment history is incomplete.

The Board granted service connection for multifocal carcinoid tumor with carcinomatosis of the abdomen and pelvis, finding that it is etiologically related to in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board remands the claim for a pre-decisional duty to assist error based on the precedential rule announced in Veteran Warriors, and requires the Agency of Original Jurisdiction to issue a notice of the decision consistent with the correct statutory criteria.

The appeal was granted for readjudication of the claim of service connection for a nose disability, and a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral eye disability were denied.