Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for bilateral eye disorder, to include as a manifestation of an intracranial vessel disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset in service and was not due to any in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left finger disability, finding that it was not aggravated beyond its natural progression by his military service.

The Veteran's daughter, D.R., is not considered permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday. Therefore, she does not qualify for additional dependency benefits.

The Board has remanded the claim for eligibility to enroll in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to a need for personal care services and an issue regarding whether participation is in the best interest of the Veteran. The AOJ must provide proper notice, conduct assessments, and process the claim according to the correct statutory criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for drop foot, as it is unclear whether this condition is caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further evaluation and a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot gout as secondary to diabetes mellitus were granted with an effective date of August 31, 2022. However, the claim for erectile dysfunction was denied due to lack of prior filing.

The Veteran's service-connected non-Hodgkin lymphoma has caused him to have impairment of balance and coordination, which is now granted as a direct result of his service connection.

The Veteran's appeal to enroll in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) has been withdrawn, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is not eligible for enrollment in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) and has ordered a remand to correct an error. The decision was made based on a February 2021 Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) opinion, which the Board finds inadequate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eating disorder as secondary to PTSD is granted. The claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his testicle conditions (hydrocele and epidydimal cysts) due to insufficient evidence regarding the extent of atrophy in his testicles. The case is being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Veteran's application for PCAFC benefits is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A new medical decision is needed from the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT).

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the propriety of the overpayment debt in the amount of $4,913.65 because the dependent child was added back to the Veteran's award, effectively eliminating the debt.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his skin cancer and scar condition was denied as the evidence did not show that the disability more nearly approximated the criteria for a higher rating under any other diagnostic code.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional development and an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's inguinal hernia disability.

The Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits is being reviewed due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board has found the current decision inconclusive and requires a more detailed medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of mileage associated with travel to a medical appointment on February 21, 2025 at the Nashville VAMC is granted. The Board found that the treatment obtained was not available at the nearest VA facility (Chattanooga Clinic) and thus the Veteran should be reimbursed for the round-trip mileage from his residence to the Nashville VAMC.

The Veteran's B-cell lymphoma is being remanded for further investigation and an addendum opinion to consider potential toxic exposures during service, including JP-5, diesel fuel, and firefighting foam.

The Board has denied service connection for spondylolisthesis (claimed as lower back pain) due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease, while granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not meet the eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to her service-connected disabilities. The decision is being remanded to gather more specific medical opinions regarding personal care services and supervision needs.