Other conditions decisions — 2026

The appeal seeking to recognize the Veteran's grandchildren as dependent children for VA purposes has been dismissed due to a withdrawal request.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for waiver of overpayment of educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33, finding that recovery would not be against equity and good conscience due to the Veteran's stable income from VA benefits and her reported marketable skills.

The case is on appeal for eligibility to receive benefits under VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). The Veteran has a combined service-connected disability rating of at least 70 percent since April 2009, and the serious injury he incurred during service now qualifies him for PCAFC benefits. The AOJ needs to continue processing the claim based on this new eligibility.

The Veteran requested an earlier effective date for the recognition of his children as dependent beneficiaries due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching age 18. The Board denied these requests, stating that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met.,Both E.M. and N.M. reached their 18th birthday within a year of when they were initially recognized as dependents, so the earliest possible effective dates are their 18th birthdays.

The Board has decided that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires a new examination by a dermatologist to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma.

The Veteran's claim to recognize K.K. as his dependent spouse for VA disability compensation purposes was denied because they do not meet the requirements of a marriage under New Mexico law, which does not recognize common law marriages or domestic partnerships.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 100 percent for service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder is granted, effective September 2, 2020.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected chronic tonsillitis, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's cause of death is remanded due to the need for further development regarding toxic chemical exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no one has requested substitution for the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal concerning their right foot injury was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to December 7, 2015, for the award of service connection for varicocele and epididymitis has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal request.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple myeloma, finding that there was no evidence of a direct link between his military service and the condition. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or any other location where herbicide exposure is presumed.

The appellant is not a qualified surviving spouse for DIC benefits, and her appeal is dismissed without prejudice as a matter of law.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for gastric ulcers and their residuals as secondary to his service-connected GERD. The decision concludes that the current gastric ulcers are caused by and aggravated by his service-connected GERD.

The appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death has been dismissed as the appellant was awarded this benefit in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is rated at 100 percent effective February 13, 2020.

The Board found that the overpayment of VA compensation benefits for the period August 20, 2025 to September 30, 2025 was validly created due to concurrent receipt of active service pay and VA compensation benefits, which is prohibited by law. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatitis and chronic cholecystitis are remanded due to the need for VA examinations. The claim for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is also remanded as an addendum opinion is required.

The Board has granted service connection for status-post hysterectomy due to fibroids that began during active duty, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.