Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for a left quadriceps strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected costochondritis is currently rated at 10 percent, which includes the baseline severity of 10 percent. The Board found that the current severity does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining a secondary service connection opinion that did not address aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma is being remanded to the AOJ for further review on its merits due to new and relevant evidence submitted since the February 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran's application for PCAFC benefits was denied due to not meeting the eligibility criteria, specifically needing care from a family caregiver for at least six months. The decision is remanded because the notification provided did not meet regulatory requirements and there was an error in the medical review.

The Board has granted service connection for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, finding it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and will consider new evidence regarding the Veteran's need for personal care services and supervision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and an inadequate medical decision regarding eligibility for PCAFC benefits. The claim will be reconsidered with consideration of new evidence, including a VA examination from October 2022.

The Board has identified a duty-to-assist error and is remanding the case to obtain a legally adequate medical decision regarding eligibility for PCAFC benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the eligibility criteria for PCAFC due to a lack of personal care services and remands the case for further review under the correct statutory criteria.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding eligibility for enrollment in the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). The Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires personal care services due to a need for regular or extensive instruction or supervision without which the ability to function in daily life would be seriously impaired. The appeal is remanded to determine if it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the PCAFC program and provide notice of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for quadriplegia in all four extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, effective from the date of death.

The Board has determined that there was an error in the initial decision regarding eligibility for enrollment in VA's PCAFC program, and thus remands the case to obtain a new medical determination considering all available information.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The Board noted that while the Veteran was exposed to toxic substances during his service in Kuwait and Iraq, this exposure did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to the PACT Act.

The Veteran's child applied for Chapter 35 DEA benefits, but did not elect a start date within the required 60 days. The effective start date is May 10, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right quad disabilities due to a finding of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the AOJ's favorable findings regarding current diagnoses of bilateral quad splints during active duty. The Board found no evidence of a current quad disability, including pain resulting in functional impairment of earning capacity.

The Board has determined that the decision denying PCAFC eligibility is not supported by sufficient reasoning and rationale, and thus the case must be remanded for further action.

The Board has vacated the earlier effective date for TDIU and remanded the case to the AOJ. The Veteran was not provided notice of her right to a hearing on a supplemental claim, so she must be given such notice.

The Veteran's claim for automobile allowance was not addressed in the January 2025 rating decision. The Board has ordered a remand to send the Veteran a notification letter regarding his claim of eligibility for financial assistance for the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance, or financial assistance in the purchase of adaptive equipment only.