Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding his right inguinal hernia disorder.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient information in the claims file to properly evaluate whether the change in the Veteran's means test eligibility category from copay exempt to copay required for income year 2019 was proper. The decision is remanded to allow for further development and clarification of the relevant documents.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) was dismissed due to the Veteran's passing during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for caregiver benefits was dismissed due to their death, and the claim will not affect other benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for MGUS, finding that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure and insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and service.

The Board has granted reimbursement of the expenses for medical services provided by a private provider on December 6, 2021, and subsequent dates under CHAMPVA. The appellant sought payment through her other health insurance (OHI) first, which paid partially for each service. The AOJ denied reimbursement initially but later granted it after considering the partial payments made by BCBS.

The Board found that the reduction of special monthly pension benefits at the aid and attendance rate (SMP-AA) was proper due to a change in income status, specifically the death of the Veteran's spouse which resulted in no dependents. The appeal is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral arterial disease of the bilateral lower extremities, finding no link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran is currently receiving a 70 percent rating for schizoaffective disorder and basic eligibility for Chapter 35 DEA based on permanent and total disability status from August 2, 2013, to April 9, 2025. The appeal regarding entitlement to a higher rating or additional benefits prior to this date is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the appellant's left eye condition is related to his service. The VA will need to obtain additional medical opinions and consider relevant service treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's LGL leukemia, finding that it is due to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The condition is considered a form of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and thus falls under the presumptive service connection criteria.

The Board has determined that the overpayment debt of $7,186.00 was not properly created and is invalid due to a miscalculation by VA. The Veteran's appeal for this issue is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for postoperative ventral hernia from August 30, 1993 to May 11, 2003 due to lack of evidence showing need for a support belt.

The Board found the request for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA pension benefits was timely received. However, due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, the claim is remanded to consider the merits of her waiver claim.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right tonsillar cancer, finding that his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during active service is related to his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's abdominal aortic aneurysm, specifically addressing whether it is at least as likely as not caused by exposure to herbicide agents and asbestos during service.

The Veteran's request for a waiver of an overpayment of $171,459.23 in VA pension benefits was granted due to timely filing and indication of hardship. However, the matter is being remanded as there were errors in notification and further evidence may be needed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of insomnia is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. A new VA examination and opinion are required to assess the current severity of the service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for pulmonary embolism residuals from surgery and deep vein thrombosis residuals from surgery, both as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected coccyx fracture with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a compensable rating for other specified trauma or stressor related disorder as the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.