Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Veteran's alopecia areata has been rated as noncompensable for the period prior to April 21, 2021, and 10 percent disabling thereafter. The Board finds that an initial 10 percent disability rating is granted from July 5, 2017 to April 20, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for TMD disk displacement with reduction has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal for benefits under VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) has been dismissed because the eligibility determination was extended and will be reassessed at a later time.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of the overpayment of VA compensation benefits, finding that the debt was properly created and valid based on her failure to notify VA of changes in her marital status.

The Veteran's endometriosis, fibroids, and cystic ovaries, s/p hysterectomy are related to her active-duty service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's application for PCAFC eligibility was denied due to not meeting the criteria of needing personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months. The Board has decided to remand the case for further review and clarification.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral lower radicular group radiculopathy were denied. The left lower radicular group is currently rated at 20 percent, and the right lower radicular group is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol, cannabis, and stimulant use disorder is granted a 70 percent rating. Service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), voiding dysfunction, and supraventricular arrhythmia are also granted.

The Veteran and his spouse are ineligible for PCAFC benefits because they reside outside of a 'State' as defined in the regulations, specifically Germany.

The Veteran's hairy cell leukemia residuals are rated at a 60 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for VA beneficiary travel expenses related to medical appointments from October 2023 to May 2025 were dismissed as there was no evidence of filed claims and the appeals are untimely.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action, including recalculation of overpayment and review on the merits by the VA Committee on Waivers and Compromises (COWC).

The Board dismissed the appeal for eligibility to the direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the September 2020 rating decision due to the appellant's untimely filing of a VA Form 10182.

The Veteran's eligibility for enrollment in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to a lack of proper notice and compliance with statutory requirements. The claim will be evaluated under the correct statutory criteria for 'need for supervision, protection, or instruction' as per the Federal Circuit ruling in Veteran Warriors v. Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

The Veteran's residuals of testicular and ureter cancer have been rated at 40 percent since June 30, 2022. The decision grants an earlier effective date for this rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's hematuria associated with prostatitis, including consideration of new VA renal ultrasound findings. The initial evaluation remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right leg pain is found to be a symptom of his service-connected varicose veins previously rated as post-thrombotic syndrome, right lower extremity. The claim for increased rating for the varicose veins condition is granted with a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's application for VA educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30 was denied because he did not meet the service requirements for eligibility, specifically due to his uncharacterized discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer is found to be service-connected due to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange). The claim for accrued benefits is also granted as the spouse filed within one year of the April 2022 rating decision denying the service connection claim.

The Veteran's hydronephrosis is granted with a 10 percent evaluation effective August 23, 2011. The Board remanded the case for further development and consideration of increased evaluations.