Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Veteran's rating for TMJ was reduced from 40 percent to 30 percent in March 2016, and then further reduced to 10 percent in November 2022. The appeal challenges the propriety of these reductions, with the Board finding that a reduction is warranted as there has not been sustained improvement in the Veteran's TMJ under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hallux valgus, bilateral hammer toes, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran contends that her current conditions are related to a fall she experienced during service.

The Board has determined that the termination of VA compensation benefits effective December 14, 2023 was improper due to a failure by the AOJ to properly determine if the Veteran was a fugitive felon. The decision is remanded for further action.

The Veteran's child, J., was granted additional dependency benefits based on school attendance from November 2, 2022 to June 1, 2023. The criteria for recognition of J. as a dependent child based on school attendance have been met.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left achilles tendonitis, finding that new evidence received since the previous denial supports this determination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to restore his pension benefits due to a reduction that was deemed proper based on increased income from Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits.

The Board has determined that the termination of VA compensation benefits due to the Veteran's fugitive felon status was proper and denied the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a certificate of eligibility for the purposes of obtaining a VA loan guaranty was dismissed as his request has been granted.

Your appeal for service connection of an eye disorder has been dismissed because you requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of schizoaffective disorder was dismissed because the appellant requested a withdrawal of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and other environmental hazards during service, as well as a need for a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) memorandum and opinion.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for amputation of the left great toe and granted a separate 10 percent rating for calluses of the left foot. The amputation was not rated higher due to the absence of removal of the metatarsal head, while the calluses were found to be moderate in severity.

The Veteran appealed the decision to count retroactive compensation and switch his VA benefit from non-service-connected pension to service-connected compensation. The Board is remanding for a clear accounting of how the overpayment was calculated, including notification letters and records of payments.

Your appeal was dismissed because you filed it prematurely while your VR&E benefits claim was still pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) due to a duty-to-assist error in not obtaining an opinion regarding the nature and severity of his residuals.

The Board has determined that the AOJ decision on appeal is not adequate to inform a decision on the merits and requires additional clarification and development. Specifically, the AOJ did not provide clear explanation for its conclusion that the Veteran does not need personal care services based on an inability to perform ADLs or have a need for supervision, protection, or instruction.

The Board dismissed the appeal for eligibility to attorney fees associated with a past-due benefits award in an April 2022 rating decision, as the appellant withdrew his appeal after discussing it with the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shin splints are related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's residuals of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder are rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and additional development is needed, including obtaining service records, medical opinions on etiology, and verifying periods of active duty. The Veteran's stomach disability may be related to in-service exposure to toxins.