Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his previously denied claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and has determined that new evidence supports this claim. The Veteran was also allowed to withdraw requests for readjudication of his previously denied claims for hearing loss and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of beneficiary travel expenses for a medical appointment on January 5, 2026 is granted as the evidence shows he attended the scheduled appointment and was administratively eligible for such payments.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral recurrent anterior uveitis as there is no evidence showing impairment of visual acuity, visual field, or muscle function that would warrant any higher rating. The Veteran's symptomatology more nearly approximates a 0 percent initial rating.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the grant of service connection for right eye retrobulbar neuritis (previously diagnosed as amaurosis), leading to its severance. The Veteran's claim was denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding an earlier effective date for TDIU as it was improperly docketed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed temporomandibular joint disorder is service-connected, as there is an approximate equipoise of evidence regarding its onset during or shortly after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a VR&E subsistence allowance while preparing for the USMLE Step 1, finding that there were no new evidence or changes in circumstances warranting additional benefits.

The appeal regarding an increased apportionment for the Veteran's son, K.F., was dismissed due to procedural errors.

The Veteran requested to transfer his VR&E case from the Pittsburgh, PA VR&E Office to the Louisville, KY VR&E Office. The Louisville, KY VR&E Office denied the request due to lack of access to the electronic claims file and jurisdiction over the case. The Veteran appealed this decision but no formal decision was issued. The Board dismissed the appeal as the VA Form 10182 is invalid.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient information in the claims file to determine if the appellant qualifies for a Certificate of Eligibility for VA home loan guaranty benefits. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development and clarification of the appellant's service records.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for myasthenia gravis and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and providing retrospective opinions.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the reduction in disability rating for patulous eustachian tube of the left ear from 30 percent to 0 percent effective January 1, 2021. The Board dismissed the appeal as withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's myasthenia gravis is related to her in-service symptoms of periostitis, urinary incontinence, fatigue, and droopy eyelids. Therefore, service connection for myasthenia gravis is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an umbilical/inguinal hernia, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's Raynaud's syndrome, which manifested during service and has been continuously pursued since then, is granted an initial disability evaluation of 40 percent effective January 24, 2016.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of June 26, 2015 for the award of service connection and SMC based on loss of use of both feet.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hand tremors due to conflicting opinions and insufficient evidence regarding whether the tremors are caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's right hand volar plate injury was manifested by painful motion, but no evidence of ankylosis or loss of use. The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent as the symptoms did not warrant such a higher rating.

The Veteran's disability rating for systemic lupus erythematosus was reduced from 100% to noncompensable effective February 1, 2021. The Board found that the reduction was proper and denied restoration of the 100% rating.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a separate 50 percent, but the left temporal arteritis itself remains noncompensable.