Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the eligibility determination for PCAFC benefits and has ordered remand of the case.

The Veteran's appeal was denied because he was not in receipt of a monthly housing allowance when his Chapter 33 entitlement was exhausted, preventing him from receiving the refund for contributions made under Chapter 30.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant did not timely file a Board Appeal request regarding the assessment of attorney fees, and good cause was not shown to accept the late filing.

The Veteran's participation in the PCAFC program was revoked due to noncompliance, and the Board has decided to remand the matter for a retrospective opinion from the CEAT regarding whether the revocation was proper.

The Veteran's brain cancer, which caused his death in November 2019, is determined to be service-connected due to exposure to burn pits during his deployment. The Board found the evidence persuasive that the Veteran's cancer was caused by his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of any current left foot disability, including a fracture and calcaneal spur. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being reviewed again.

The Board has issued a decision on the Veteran's application for VA educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33, but it is not clear if the decision addresses solely the Veteran's entitlement to Chapter 33 or if he requested an extension of his delimiting date. The AOJ needs to provide adequate notice as described in 38 U.S.C. § 5104(b).

The Board dismissed the appeal as untimely, and also suggested that the Appellant may be eligible for retroactive educational assistance benefits if he files a new claim.

The appeal regarding the direct payment of fees based on past-due benefits awarded to the Veteran has been dismissed as the Appellant withdrew their appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU effective September 1, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural errors and issues related to TDIU, SMC(s), SMC(l), and SMC(r). The AOJ is instructed to identify and secure private medical records from Dr. Jabbour and Mind Path Care Centers in Raleigh, North Carolina, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's appeals for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has decided that the appellant is a surviving spouse and should be eligible for survivor's benefits including pension. However, due to incomplete development of the claim, the case is being remanded to ensure proper adjudication.

The Veteran's prostatitis is related to his toxic exposures during active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the August 2024 denial of benefits for participation in VA's PCAFC program is legally inadequate due to an insufficient explanation and lack of consideration of all evidence. The Veteran was found not to meet eligibility requirements based on a need for personal care services, but the decision did not specify which requirement (inability to perform ADLs or need for supervision) was not met.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for squamous cell carcinoma from June 26, 2008 to February 4, 2009 is granted. A compensable rating for the condition since February 4, 2009 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for trigeminal neuralgia (cranial nerve V) is granted, with a current rating of 30 percent. The effective date remains January 21, 2015 as there was no earlier communication or claim before this date.

The Board dismissed the appeal for attorney fees as the appellant withdrew it, indicating that a subsequent fee decision correctly allocated the fees.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic feet pain, corns, and calluses due to aggravation during active duty service. The Veteran's preexisting pes planus was aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal before any decision was made.