Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that there is new and relevant evidence to readjudicate the claim of entitlement to service connection for hernia. The Veteran's current hernia diagnosis is not supported by the record, and his lay statements alone are insufficient to meet the standard to remand for a VA medical examination and/or opinion. For the left varicocele claim, the Board has determined that there is new and relevant evidence to readjudicate the claim, but further clarification on the etiology of the condition is needed.

The Board denied service connection for cause of death due to lack of evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board denied service connection for eye injury as there was no evidence of a current disability caused by the in-service eye injury.

The Veteran's left and right foot strains are rated at 20 percent each, effective October 1, 2024. The Board granted the ratings based on moderate severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance was granted effective December 22, 2023. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in duty to assist and for obtaining a dose estimate of ionizing radiation exposure during service. The Veteran's liver cancer claim will be reconsidered with additional development.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran did not timely file a request for an extension of time to file an appeal from the VHA administrative decision denying reimbursement for medical services provided.

The Veteran's orthostatic hypotension is rated at a 30 percent level, which is the maximum allowed under the rating criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination and medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's urinary disability, including BPH, is related to service. The Veteran will need to undergo an examination to determine if there is any link between his current condition and military service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted, warranting readjudication of the claim for VA monetary and healthcare benefits. The issue of whether the character of service discharge is a bar to eligibility remains remanded due to regulatory changes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have Raynaud's syndrome or residuals of a cold weather injury to the extremities, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 23, 2021 for the award of dependent compensation for the Veteran's spouse, M.G., based on evidence submitted within one year of a rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $563.39, finding that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience due to the Veteran's financial situation.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected left tibia stress fracture, finding that the disability does not meet the criteria for any higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has already issued a decision granting service connection for organic aphonia, and this case is considered a duplicate appeal. As such, the current appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's post-operative cataracts with pseudophakia and vitreous degeneration are rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the August 2024 rating decision. The separate rating for dry eye syndrome is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a deviated septum, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service complaints of chronic nasal obstruction and subsequent surgery.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the VA did not fully develop the claim for all of the Veteran's possible participation in TERA, including unrecorded trips to countries neighboring Vietnam and service with Republic of Korea forces by Navy personnel involved in the Poseidon program. The case is being remanded to obtain this information.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange herbicides during service and the relationship between his interstitial lung disease and his military service.