Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's eligibility for enrollment in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran requires personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months.

The Veteran's appeal for a nonservice-connected pension was dismissed because the Veteran died before a decision could be issued.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for restrictive lung disease was granted on August 9, 2023. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is August 9, 2023, and denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim as the reduction of his pension benefits effective January 1, 2016 was proper due to an increase in income from Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits.

The Board has determined that the Appellant is recognized as the surviving spouse of the Veteran for purposes of DIC, survivors pension, and accrued benefits. The AOJ must now adjudicate these claims correctly.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left restless leg syndrome with periodic limb movements of sleep disorder, finding that the Veteran's testimony confirms his condition began in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for stroke residuals, left eye ptosis, and right side facial trigeminal neuralgia has been granted with an effective date of March 9, 2009.

The Veteran's residuals of right hand injury, diagnosed as history of boxer's fracture of the right hand, are granted as service connected. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise and thus resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not in need of personal care services based on a CEAT decision, but lacks sufficient explanation. The appeal must be remanded for further review by the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the September 2023 decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits is legally inadequate due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The appeal is remanded for further action, including obtaining a legally adequate medical opinion from the CEAT and providing the Veteran with complete notice of the decision on his claim.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating for generalized contraction of visual field bilaterally from 50 to 10 percent was improper and restored the original 50 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the eligibility decision for PCAFC benefits is not legally adequate due to a lack of sufficient rationale and consideration of all potentially favorable evidence. The matter is being remanded to determine if the Veteran qualifies for personal care services as outlined in the program regulations.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral subdermal hematomas is denied because the care was provided at a private facility, not by VA, and there is no evidence of fault on VA's part.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the intermediate rate between 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) and 38 U.S.C. § 1114(m), effective July 22, 2020.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiovascular disease, which is service-connected. The Board granted DIC based on the cause of death being service-connected and dismissed the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 as moot.

The Board has determined that new evidence supports the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for oropharynx cancer, and finds that exposure to PFOS and PFAS during active duty is at least as likely as not related to the development of the Veteran's oropharynx cancer. Service connection is therefore granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for entitlement to individual unemployability before a decision was made, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CML) has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of air ambulance transport costs is remanded due to missing documentation. The AOJ must provide the Veteran with an opportunity to submit any relevant medical records and billing statements.