Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and will consider whether the Veteran's cause of death (malignant neoplasm: mantle cell lymphoma) is related to his service, specifically noting swollen lymph nodes during service and treatment for Lyme disease.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to tongue cancer (metastatic) and hypercalcemia. The Board denied service connection for the cause of death as there is no evidence linking the tongue cancer or hypercalcemia to service, including exposure to herbicides or contaminated water from Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left quadriceps enthesopathy, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service knee and leg events during combat.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left and right thigh conditions, as well as his pilonidal cyst. The AOJ is required to obtain new examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for eligibility to enroll in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to inadequate medical opinions and insufficient notice.,For the March 2019 denial, a new medical opinion is required to address the criteria for eligibility under the program. For the March 2022 denial, a new medical determination considering all medical information of record is needed.

The Veteran's application for PCAFC benefits was denied because he died before the program could be processed and designated a caregiver. The Board acknowledged that substitution is not applicable in this case as there were no accrued benefits owed to the Veteran.

The Veteran's cause of death, laryngeal cancer, is related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for mechanical back pain syndrome due to a duty-to-assist error. The case will be returned for a VA examination and an addendum opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing right lower leg condition was aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and the connection between service exposure and esophageal cancer.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of inclusion body myositis (IBM) in both upper and lower extremities due to a withdrawal request from the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic myeloid leukemia, finding that the Veteran's condition is due to in-service exposures to asbestos and incinerator waste.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error regarding verification of the Veteran's income from 2012. The claim for TDIU will be reconsidered with this information.

The Veteran's right and left varicose veins were granted an initial 10 percent disability rating prior to November 1, 2014.

The appeal regarding the denial of service connection for hidradenitis suppurativa, a bilateral armpit disability, in a June 2016 rating decision is dismissed due to procedural defects.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate Gulf War examination opinions regarding the Veteran's urinary frequency, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has restored the Veteran's right hip disability rating from 10% to 20%, effective December 30, 2024, as there was no evidence of improvement in his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a missed VA examination and the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for poor vision.

The Board has granted SMC based on the loss of use of the right hand. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and incomplete development.

The Veteran's atrial fibrillation is rated at 10 percent since the effective date of service connection. On and after September 9, 2024, he was granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. Effective September 9, 2024, special monthly compensation is also granted.