Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for entitlement to an increased rating for weakness of the right lower extremity with drop foot and for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, as the appellant withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance was granted with an effective date of March 6, 2020. The decision is based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected musculoskeletal conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, finding it is at least as likely as not that symptoms manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service.

The Board dismissed the appeal because it does not have authority to review disputes arising under Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs), which is the exclusive administrative remedy for such disputes.

The Veteran's service-connected right total knee arthroplasty caused his intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) to include lumbar radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremity and left hip bursitis, which are now granted as secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's dysphagia, a service-connected condition, requires regular aid and attendance due to his inability to protect himself from choking hazards. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Veteran appealed the denial of VR&E benefits to pursue a PhD degree, but the Board found that he did not meet the required criteria for such services due to his failure to pursue rehabilitations services and lack of cooperation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for periodontal disease, caries, and abscesses for compensation purposes. The issue of eligibility for outpatient dental treatment is being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disorder as secondary to her service-connected migraine disorder. The VA examiner found no evidence of a separate eye disability and concluded that the Veteran's vision disturbances were related to her migraines.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an extension of his delimiting date for MGIB educational assistance benefits, finding that he did not present evidence showing a disability prevented him from initiating or completing a program of education during the ten-year eligibility period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for agoraphobia as there is no current disability and the record does not contain a recent diagnosis of disability prior to his filing of the claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of loss of limb in all four extremities, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left foot conditions, finding that they were aggravated during his active duty service.

The Board denied the waiver of recovery of Department of Veterans Affairs pension benefits in the amount of $4,116.00 due to the Appellant's failure to notify VA of her receipt of Social Security (SSA) income, which caused an overpayment and termination of her pension benefits.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as it pertains to a contractual payment rate for dental services provided under a Veterans Care Agreement (VCA). The dispute is governed by statutory and regulatory procedures that do not allow for further review by the Board.

The Board has denied service connection for TMJ syndrome due to a lack of current diagnosis, and the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service injury. The claim for neck condition is remanded as there is insufficient medical examination to determine its etiology. The claim for bruxism is also remanded as it may be secondary to TMJ syndrome.,The Board has denied service connection for TMJ syndrome due to a lack of current diagnosis, and the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service injury. The claims for neck condition and bruxism are both remanded as there is insufficient medical examination to determine their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for transient ischemic condition and bilateral nuclear sclerosis cataract, finding that these conditions were not incurred during a period of active duty or ACDUTRA. The right eye visual field defect was granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected headaches.,Service connection for right eye visual field defect is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected headaches.

The Veteran's right ring finger disability is rated at 10 percent, which considers painful motion and decreased grip strength. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence does not support an increase in evaluation.

The Veteran and the appellant were married in February 2000. The Board found that they were still considered married at the time of the Veteran's death, meeting the durational requirements for a surviving spouse under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 30, 2021 was denied as the claim was received by VA on December 1, 2021. The Board found that the receipt date is set and not warranting an earlier effective date.