Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for a left knee brace and bilateral shoe inserts have been remanded due to the need to provide notice of his right to a hearing on a supplemental claim.

The Veteran's onychomycosis is rated under the old criteria and remanded for further development to determine if systemic therapy, such as fluconazole, is similar to corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cause of death due to recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to exposure to herbicides in service, including Agent Orange.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his military service and the cancer.

The Board denied service connection for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), including blood clots in bilateral calves, and blood clots in the lungs as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's PLS, a variant of ALS, is granted as service connected. The Board found sufficient evidence to presume that PLS developed due to service.

The Veteran's attorney is seeking a correction of the improper calculation of his fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a June 2024 rating decision. The AOJ has determined that the appellant is eligible for fees, but there is uncertainty about the correct amount due to an incorrect calculation.

The Veteran's chronic diarrhea is rated at a maximum of 30 percent since August 13, 2024.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified insomnia disorder is granted an initial 30 percent disability rating, and no higher.

The Board has determined that the reduction in disability rating for the service-connected stress fracture of the right hip with bursitis based on impairment of thigh was improper and has reinstated the previous 10% disability rating. The Veteran's right hip rating claims are remanded due to deficiencies in the December 2024 VA hip/thigh examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bicuspid aortic valve and mitral valve prolapse, finding that the Veteran's heart disability was aggravated by military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a left thumb strain and remanded the issue of service connection for a right hand or finger disability due to lack of nexus between current symptoms and active duty.

The Board has determined that there were duty-to-assist errors and the case is being remanded for further action.

The appellant has withdrawn her appeal for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. 1318, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has dismissed the appeals to reduce the Veteran's disability ratings for DJD, left hip, limited rotation and DJD, right hip, limited rotation from 20 percent to 0 percent as proposed in the February 2025 rating decision.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received regarding the Veteran's dental condition to tooth #'s 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 11-17, 19-31. The issues of service connection for nasal pharyngeal cancer, numbness on right side of face, and dental condition to tooth #'s 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 11-17, 19-31 are all remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including failing to obtain SSA records and VA medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left eye disability is secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has determined that the previous denial of survivor's pension benefits for the appellant was due to incomplete information provided by the appellant regarding her income and medical expenses. The case is being remanded to gather this necessary information.

The Board denied the request for an extension of educational assistance benefits under Chapter 35, finding that the criteria were not met and that the law does not allow extensions after benefits have been exhausted.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for other specified stressor and trauma related disorder, as well as service connection for alopecia areata, were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a 100% disability rating for the former condition or establish service connection for the latter.