Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be motor neuron disease with respiratory failure. The Board found that the Veteran had an ALS diagnosis and granted service connection for his cause of death, as it resulted from a motor neuron disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for BPH due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to his service-connected hypertension. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a medical opinion addressing whether BPH was caused or aggravated by his hypertension.

The Board has determined that a decision on the Veteran's spouse's need for regular aid and attendance should be issued by the AOJ, as the previous decision was based on the Veteran's personal need for aid and attendance/housebound status.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pre-existing back and spine condition, due to aggravation beyond normal progression from military service.

The Board has determined that the AOJ committed pre-decisional duty to notify and duty to assist errors in denying the DIC claim for the cause of the Veteran's death. The claim must be remanded to allow the AOJ to make a finding regarding whether the Appellant is considered the surviving spouse, as this is a threshold requirement for DIC benefits.

The Veteran's death was not related to service-connected disability, and the appellant is not a proper claimant for DIC, Survivors Pension, accrued benefits, or substitution.

The Veteran's travel expenses on September 29, 2025 for a VA Community Care Orthopedic Consult were granted as he met eligibility criteria and attended the appointment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because he already has a combined disability rating of 100%, qualifying for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance. The earlier effective date claim for DEA benefits is denied as the Veteran is already in receipt of the earliest possible date for the award.

The Board dismissed the appeal because it was filed prematurely and incorrectly, as there were no decisions on the merits of the appellant's application for VA survivors' benefits.

The Veteran's Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is determined to be related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The appeal regarding the Veteran's discharge from service for a specific period is dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn it.

The appellant withdrew her appeal for a waiver of indebtedness, and the Board dismissed it.

The Veteran's cyclothymic disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that this level of impairment does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's requests for waiver of recovery of overpayment of VA NSC pension benefits in the amounts of $53,074.00 and $1,233.00 were timely filed. However, due to procedural errors in sending notices of these debts with their respective waiver rights, the Board has remanded the matter for further consideration by COWC on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for cholecystectomy status post acalculous gangrenous cholecystitis has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew their appeal in February 2026.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal seeking an earlier effective date for the award of additional dependency benefits for their child based on school attendance under 38 U.S.C. § 1115.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for myocardial infarction, claimed as heart attacks, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for lymph node swelling and chest pain due to a lack of current disability evidence. The case is remanded to obtain private medical records related to the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cardiac disability due to insufficient evidence and need for clarification on whether the heart murmur is a congenital defect or disease, as well as potential exposure during active service.