Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for bruxism, and the Board has dismissed this appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to refer the Veteran's records concerning his in-service ionizing radiation exposure to the VA Under Secretary for Health, who is required to prepare a dose estimate based on available methodologies. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with this information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left breast cancer, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and service.

The Board denied service connection for a right arm condition manifested by pain, finding no causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's right hand fifth metacarpal neck fracture well healed with residual x-ray deformity, degenerative arthritis and decreased grip strength (right little finger) was evaluated at a noncompensable rating since June 28, 2019. The Board found that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of the disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, Crohn's disease with bowel resection, and colon cancer due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not in need of personal care services, but there are concerns about the accuracy and thoroughness of this decision. The case must be remanded to obtain a more detailed medical opinion and proper notice.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's congestive heart failure with cardiomyopathy, finding that it is secondary to her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the June 2019 decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits was not properly communicated to the Veteran and did not provide sufficient information about the basis of the denial. The case is being remanded to correct this error.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability, including meniscal tear with arthritis and Grade I ACL/PCL instability, was denied. A separate 10 percent rating for recurrent subluxation is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an alleged verbal withdrawal of a PCAFC application, finding that both claimants did not explicitly and unambiguously withdraw their May 2021 application for PCAFC enrollment. The agency is directed to continue the PCAFC enrollment process.

The Veteran's service was not considered qualifying due to a pre-existing condition that existed prior to his enlistment, and he did not meet the minimum active-duty service requirements for VA pension benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed narcolepsy. The Veteran was treated for narcolepsy during service, but the examiner did not consider this in their assessment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back injury residuals, finding that her current condition is more likely than not caused by a back injury she sustained during active duty in August 1997.

The case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's benign prostatic hypertrophy due to herbicide exposure, including Agent Orange.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's head/brain tumor, finding that there is no causal relationship between his active service and the condition. The evidence did not support a link to herbicide exposure or any other form of service connection.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for service-connected insomnia disorder was granted at a higher level of 50 percent, effective June 23, 2019. The severity, frequency, and duration of the symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for pancreatic cancer has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to procedural errors and insufficient medical examinations. The Veteran's service-connected left and right hip arthritis are being evaluated again, with a focus on functional impairment during flare-ups and after repetitive use.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 22, 2013 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted. The effective date cannot be earlier than this date as it is factually ascertainable that the Veteran was unable to work due to his service-connected disabilities as of April 22, 2013.