Other conditions decisions — 2026

The appeal seeking restoration of the level of special monthly compensation has been dismissed due to the Veteran's passing.

The appeal for eligibility for benefits under the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is dismissed.

The Veteran's respiratory condition is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected stroke.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) based on evidence showing a relationship between the condition and in-service exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the AOJ accepted and adjudicated the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected herpes simplex disability on its merits, despite rejecting it initially due to a form submission error.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's Crohn's disease/ulcerative colitis, including his in-service symptoms and exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) effective May 3, 2024, based on the Veteran's exposure to toxic environmental agents during his military service.

The Veteran's increased urinary frequency and voiding dysfunction are currently rated at 40 percent, effective April 5, 2024. The Board found the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has identified a duty-to-assist error and remanded the case to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding eligibility for PCAFC benefits, specifically addressing whether the Veteran requires personal care services each time completing ADLs.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for colon cancer has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's stepchild was removed from his VA disability compensation award due to the failure to provide a correct start date for her courses, which led to the termination of dependency allowance. The appeal is denied as restoration is not warranted.

The Board denied the claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse, finding that there was no valid common-law marriage in Georgia and thus not meeting VA requirements. The criteria for entitlement to recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse have not been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits, other than employment services, due to a pre-decisional error in obtaining all relevant records. The AOJ must ensure that the complete VR&E record is obtained and associated with the claims file.

The appeal for service connection for epistaxis is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for gout (left foot) is denied.

The Board has granted Level 2 benefits under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) extending from February 4, 2021. The Veteran's functional limitations and care needs have remained consistent since his initial application in February 2021.

The Veteran's claim for travel reimbursement was denied because it was not submitted within the required 30-day period after completing his travel to a medical appointment on September 5, 2024.

The Veteran's eligibility for the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is remanded due to a lack of adequate medical reasoning in the initial decision. The Board requires an updated opinion from the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) regarding whether the Veteran needs personal care services, supervision, or instruction.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for severe spinal deformity was dismissed due to a procedural defect in docketing the case under the AMA system.

The Board has found the appellant's waiver request timely and granted it for one issue. The other issue of overpayment validity is remanded to allow for further adjudication.

The Veteran died during the appeal process, and therefore, the Board has dismissed the case due to the death of the Veteran.