Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for a respiratory condition due to the need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has found that the decision denying eligibility for the PCAFC was based on an inadequate medical opinion and remands the case to obtain a new opinion from the CEAT.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity nerve disability as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine condition due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board denied service connection for esophageal cancer, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis was not related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during active service. The VA examiner concluded that the risk factors of tobacco use and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were more significant than any potential link to CLCW.

The Board has determined that the notification of the decision was legally inadequate and there is a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The appeal for eligibility to benefits under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) extending from a January 20, 2021, application is remanded.

The Veteran's oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (P16 type) is granted on a presumptive basis due to presumed exposure to burn pits during his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and requires further examination to determine if the Veteran's leukemia disability is related to service, including toxic exposure.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issue of competency to handle disbursement of VA funds. The Board dismissed this issue as it was withdrawn by the appellant's representative.

The Veteran's application for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 1606 was granted in total, making the appeal moot and dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including the need for VA to obtain relevant Department of Defense medical records and an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability and service.

The Veteran's heart disabilities, including RBBB heart block, bradycardia, and MI, are granted as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernias were granted a 70 percent rating from November 10, 2009. His umbilical hernia was denied compensation, and his scars associated with the hernias received a compensable rating. The Board also granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective August 27, 2008.

The Veteran's eligibility for an apportionment of $150 per month from his VA disability compensation benefits on behalf of his child, J.J., is granted. The decision acknowledges that the Veteran was not reasonably discharging his responsibility for supporting J.J., and finds that an apportionment would not create undue hardship.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left eye condition is not secondary to his service-connected right eye disability and remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) as the Veteran's symptoms had their onset during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for dental services and treatment based on service-connected disability, claimed as gum disease, is granted because he has a combined service-connected disability rated at 100 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses at three different VA facilities have been dismissed due to the failure to file a timely substantive appeal within 60 days from the issuance of the respective Statements of the Case (SOC).

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's colon cancer is related to service, specifically his asbestosis exposure. The examiner should consider all applicable military deployments and toxic exposure risk activities of the Veteran.

The rating for bilateral macular degeneration was reduced from 100% to 0%, effective February 1, 1972, due to fraud. The reduction and discontinuance of benefits were upheld.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.