Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Board found that the reduction in disability compensation benefits during a period of incarceration was proper and denied the Veteran's claim for retroactive benefits.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral gout is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and grants this claim. The hallux valgus issue remains pending as it requires a remand for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's child is not entitled to more than 36 months of DEA benefits because she began using the entitlement after August 1, 2018, as per a law amendment.

The Veteran provided all requested information, to include her complete marital history, to VA in order to establish her entitlement to additional dependency compensation for G. A. F., her current spouse prior to the April 2024 AMA rating decision letter which denied this claim.

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 Board has granted a Level 2 stipend under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to the Veteran's need for personal care services and inability to self-sustain in the community.

The Veteran's child contends that he is eligible for benefits under the PCAFC. The Board finds an error occurred prior to the July 2023 VHA decision on appeal and remands the case to obtain a legally adequate medical determination considering all medical information of record.

The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has granted a 70 percent rating effective as of the date of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal for VR&E benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 was dismissed due to a procedural defect resulting from an impermissible concurrent election of review options.

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

The Veteran's spouse applied for eligibility to enroll in the Department of Veterans Affairs' Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to her role as a caregiver. However, since the Veteran passed away before final approval and designation could be completed, she is not eligible for PCAFC benefits.

The Veteran's claim for travel expenses reimbursement for non-VA dental care received on July 28, 2025 was dismissed as the VHA had already approved and paid the expenses.

The Veteran's appeals for compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for pleural effusion and embolism were dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA ambulance transportation expenses incurred on April 3, 2024 was denied because it was not filed within the required 180-day period.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a dental condition is denied as she does not have a current disability. The Board finds that her present dental conditions are not considered disabilities for VA purposes.,Service connection for ovarian cysts and colon polyps (claimed as polyps) is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding toxic exposure risk activity during service.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 15, 2025 for the award of survivors' pension benefits. The appellant's claim was filed within one year of her Intent to File a claim form.

The appeal for continuing eligibility in the PCAFC program has been dismissed as the extension of legacy participants' eligibility is still valid.

The Veteran's limitations in performing activities of daily living are consistent with being unable to sustain himself in the community, and the Board has granted Level 2 benefits under the PCAFC program.

The appeal concerning eligibility to enroll in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA's) Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is denied because prior to the death of the Veteran, the PCAFC application requirements were not met and cannot be completed due to his death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a temporary total rating, and the Board dismissed it.