Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence supports the readjudication of claims for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral strain, patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative changes of the right knee, status post lumbar fusion associated with spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease and IVDS, and osteoarthritis of the right knee. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's school-aged children, K.G. and A.A., were removed from his disability compensation award due to their receipt of Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35. The appeal is denied as the criteria for additional dependency pay based on school attendance are not met.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not meet eligibility criteria for enrollment in the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to lack of personal care services. The decision is being remanded as there are insufficient explanations and evidence provided by the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not require personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on supervision, protection, or instruction. The decision is being remanded to obtain a new medical determination considering all relevant information.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence and bacterial vaginitis have been granted service connection, a temporary total disability rating for surgery convalescence, and an initial 30 percent disability rating for bacterial vaginitis. The effective date for the service connection is June 19, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pectoralis muscle strain is rated at a 10 percent disability rating since December 19, 2024.

The Veteran's bladder and bowel impairments have been rated as noncompensable since February 13, 2020. The Board has determined that the current ratings do not account for the ameliorating effects of the medications prescribed for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for polycythemia vera with hemochromatosis is denied, but he is granted an initial 60 percent disability rating for service-connected pulmonary embolism secondary to his polycythemia vera.

The Veteran's cause of death is not service-connected, and the appellant is recognized as his surviving spouse for VA benefits purposes.

The Board has determined that the AOJ failed to obtain a complete and adequate VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's testicular hypofunction is aggravated by his service-connected IVDS or PTSD, including the use of SSRIs for PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain this additional opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected right elbow tendonitis is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for a throat condition due to scrap metal injury to jaw and neck because the appeal was untimely.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of colon cancer is denied as there is no evidence or allegation linking the condition to his military service, and no presumptive service connection criteria are met.

The Veteran's service-connected Morton's neuroma in the bilateral feet is rated at 10 percent, effective from October 20, 2023. The Board denied entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for this condition. For left and right foot hallux valgus, the Board found no evidence warranting a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's cause of death is related to his service-connected colon cancer, which the Board finds was caused by exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran also had other service-connected conditions like diabetes and coronary artery disease that contributed to his health. Therefore, both service connection for cause of death and DIC are granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to revise a rating decision that terminated his TDIU award, finding no CUE in the decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for pericarditis, finding that there is no current diagnosis of this condition and noting that the Veteran did not present any signs or symptoms qualifying as an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness under Persian Gulf War presumptive provisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for endometriosis, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Board finds that the current medical opinion does not address the correct legal standards and the holding in Spicer v. McDonough.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits, effective July 1, 2018, was proper based on a change in his countable family income. The appeal is denied.

The Board found that the revocation of eligibility for benefits under VA's PCAFC was proper due to the Primary Family Caregiver's written request, and thus denied the appeal.