Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for foot fungus and toenail fungus as they were withdrawn by the Veteran during a hearing. The claims for GERD and migraine headaches were also dismissed as moot due to their successful resolution in an earlier rating decision.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature, etiology, and relationship to service. The examiner must address whether the symptoms are related to an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Veteran is seeking an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected temporomandibular joint disorder and a prior effective date for the grant of service connection.,The Board denied both claims, finding that the evidence did not support earlier effective dates or higher ratings.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and the case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's tremors.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for a government-furnished headstone or grave marker and VA burial benefits because the service member served less than one month in active duty, which is insufficient to meet eligibility criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reinstate his family caregiver status in the PCAFC program due to a no-contact order preventing the caregiver from interacting with the Veteran, and the Veteran stating he was not receiving services.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory condition, finding that his current diagnosis and asbestos exposure during service meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's breathing condition is related to his active military service, but more evidence is needed for a definitive conclusion.

The Veteran's cause of death, acute neuromuscular respiratory failure from a right basal ganglia stroke, is not service connected as the conditions were not manifested during his military service or to a compensable degree within one year of discharge. Service connection was not in effect for any respiratory or cardiovascular-related disorders at the time of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's travel to a VA authorized medical facility for his May 12, 2025 appointment is granted. However, reimbursement for lodging and other incidental expenses associated with the trip is denied due to lack of prior authorization.

The Veteran's appeal for payment of non-VA medical services provided on January 24, 2025 is dismissed because the services were authorized under the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP).

The appeal for service connection for chronic cough and difficulty breathing (diagnosed as chronic bronchitis) is dismissed. Service connection for aortic aneurysm is granted.

The Veteran's cause of death from metastatic gastric carcinoma was not service-connected, and there is no evidence to support presumptive service connection due to Camp Lejeune exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to May 7, 2019, for SMC housebound and granted SMC based on need for aid and attendance. The decision is binding only with respect to the specific matters decided.

The appeal regarding the earlier effective date for survivor's pension is dismissed due to the appellant's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeal for payment or reimbursement of non-VA dental care provided by a community dental provider as it is governed by statutory and contractual authority that does not allow for review by the Board.

The Veteran's application for enrollment in the PCAFC program was denied due to his death, making it impossible to complete all required steps and designate a Primary Family Caregiver.

The appeal was dismissed because the Veteran's attorney requested to withdraw the appeal.

The appeal regarding the change in the Veteran's Means Test eligibility category from copay exempt to copay required for income year 2023 has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for dyspnea on exertion is being remanded due to an incomplete VA examination report. The RO needs to schedule the Veteran for a new VA respiratory examination that includes pulmonary function testing.