Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of stroke disabilities rendered him unable to care for daily personal needs or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment without assistance of others, meeting the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's overpayment claim is remanded due to the need for further development regarding his probation status in Georgia and Tennessee, which could affect the validity of the debt.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits was denied as the appeal is not about service connection, but rather a waiver request for an overpayment due to failure to report his dependent spouse's passing.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as to the proposed finding of incompetency due to it being a proposed action not subject to appeal.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 1, 2020 for the grant of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) due to the Veteran's death being service-connected. The decision is based on evidence of record at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's laryngeal carcinoma is related to his service at Camp Lejeune, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot os navicular, hallux valgus (arthritis) due to a duty-to-assist error in the prior decision. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's estate paid the expenses of his last sickness, and thus, accrued benefits cannot be awarded to the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hallux valgus, finding no competent and credible evidence linking her current condition to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of intervertebral disc syndrome, traumatic arthritis of the spine with stenosis, and status-post spinal fusion is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to esophageal cancer, which is presumed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 1, 2014 for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) based on the appellant's claim received within one year following the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for recognition of M. as his helpless child on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age of 18 has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed because the benefit sought (the grant) has already been achieved.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip strain and left hip strain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's left hip strain as secondary to his service-connected right hip disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lung abscess and aspergillosis due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence. The VA will need to obtain updated medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to his active service, particularly given his exposure to burn pits during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's dry eyes are related to service. The claim will be reviewed again with additional evidence.

The Veteran's right foot condition, including pain and functional limitation, is related to service. The Veteran's right leg disability did not have an onset in service or manifest within a year of service, nor is it otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's left leg disability also did not have an onset in service or manifest within a year of service, nor is it otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided that the VA should consider whether to pay for ambulance services provided by MTC on September 14, 2019. The decision is remanded because there are additional steps needed to determine if payment can be made.

The Veteran's appeal for additional payment of beneficiary travel expenses on May 2, 2024 is dismissed due to her death during the pendency of the appeal.