Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Board found that the Veteran's discharge from the PCAFC based on a February 2022 reassessment was improper and eligibility for benefits under the PCAFC is restored from August 1, 2022 to June 23, 2024.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to a need for supervision and protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment. The Board finds it necessary to remand this case to determine if participation in the PCAFC program would be in the best interest of the Veteran.

The Board has vacated the dismissal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability and remanded the issue of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left eye retinal detachment.

The Veteran's retroactive payment for a combined 100 percent disability rating was denied as he received the correct amount of retroactive payment based on the assignment of a 100 percent combined rating from September 1, 2023.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for colon cancer with resection of the large intestine is granted at a 20 percent level, effective from March 16, 2021.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a liver abscess in the Veteran's medical records, and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a liver abscess is denied.

The Board denied eligibility for the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to lack of established VA primary care and inability to meet the criteria for personal care services.

The Veteran and his Primary Family Caregiver are Legacy participants in the PCAFC program, which has been extended until September 30, 2028. The appeal is dismissed as the eligibility for continued benefits under VA's PCAFC has not taken effect.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased disability rating and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an apportionment of his VA disability compensation benefits to the Appellant, on behalf of their minor child F.H. The decision found that the Veteran reasonably discharged his responsibility for supporting the children and did not demonstrate financial hardship sufficient to warrant an apportionment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and insufficient notice, including failure to address all eligibility criteria for PCAFC enrollment.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his bilateral hip disabilities was denied. He is still entitled to a compensable rating for left hip strain (other impairment) and an initial 10 percent rating, but no higher, for right hip strain (other impairment). The other issues were denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence linking the Veteran's conditions, including his gastric cancer and other deaths-related issues, to his active service or any presumptive exposure to herbicide agents or contaminated water. The Board found that the medical opinions were most probative.

The Board denied service connection for dental disability, claimed as periodontal disease, finding no evidence of a current disability and concluding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left hand disability to include ankylosis was dismissed because the Notice of Disagreement was not filed within one year from the June 2023 rating decision, and no extension request was submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple myeloma and MGUS, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange. The decision is based on a presumption of service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's eligibility to enroll in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is denied because he does not require personal care services due to an inability to perform ADLs or a need for supervision, protection, or instruction. The Board found that the evidence shows the Veteran is generally independent and able to complete his ADLs without hands-on assistance.

The Veteran's appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals regarding an overpayment debt was dismissed because his request for a Supplemental Claim was pending and he did not withdraw it when he submitted a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) to the Board.

The appeal is remanded due to inadequate notification of the decision and a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits must be re-evaluated with an adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for swan neck deformity, claimed as degenerative joint disease of the left thumb, was granted with an effective date of May 26, 2023.