Other conditions decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and requires an adequate medical decision regarding the Veteran's eligibility for enrollment in VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and it is now up to the AOJ to obtain an additional medical opinion regarding the etiology of the appellant's heart murmur with mitral valve prolapse.

The Board has determined that there were multiple pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in the January 2024 apportionment decision and has ordered a remand to gather additional information from both the appellant and the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and requests an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's Ewing Sarcoma.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge from service constitutes a statutory bar to VA benefits, as it was issued under other than honorable conditions due to prolonged absence without leave (AWOL).

The Board has granted service connection for retroperitoneal teratoma, finding that it is directly related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE).

The Board has granted service connection for esophageal cancer, finding that the Veteran's in-service herbicide agent exposure caused his condition.

The Veteran's spouse, the appellant, sought additional educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33 of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. However, her entitlement was exhausted on August 19, 2024, and she did not have remaining VA educational benefits at that time.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding head trauma, and the Board dismissed it.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses incurred at Piedmont Henry Hospital from December 6, 2021 to December 7, 2021. The treatment was deemed emergent and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request before the Board made a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, finding that his condition did not originate in service or until years after separation and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's adult child, L., was added to his VA compensation award as a dependent on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining the age of 18. The Board denied an earlier effective date due to lack of claim within one year of L.'s eighteenth birthday.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating effective September 1, 2020. The appeal is dismissed as the issue of entitlement to a TDIU rating has been fully resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bronchiectasis and CVID on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities began during active service.

The Veteran's autoimmune disability has been granted service connection, but the rating is noncompensable. The Board has identified a duty to assist error in not developing the claim for TDIU and remands both issues.

The Veteran's dependency benefits for his spouse, A., were reinstated due to the absence of a response to multiple requests for verification of dependents. The Board found that the statements on the VA Form 10182 and VA treatment records supported the continuation of their marital status.

The Veteran's reactive hypoglycemia and hyperlipoproteimia (HLP) are granted as service-connected, with a 10% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was granted, effective June 20, 2024. The Board found that prior to this date, the severity of the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a 100% rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for athletes' foot, loose teeth, and tooth condition due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's lay assertions of in-service incurrence are considered, and VA examinations are required to assess the nature and etiology of any diagnosed disabilities.