Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical services provided on February 19, 2024 is being remanded due to insufficient information regarding the remaining balance and its classification. The VA needs to obtain relevant records from the non-VA provider and other health insurance carrier.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder, finding that it is related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's entitlement to a restoration of a 10 percent rating for balance impairment is granted, effective January 1, 2024.,The Veteran's entitlement to a 30 percent rating for balance impairment is granted, effective May 13, 2023. The claim for service connection for dementia as secondary to neurocognitive/sleep disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran's MDS is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents and benzene during his active service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher disability rating for left eye CRVO was denied by the Board, as his corrected distance visual acuity of 20/40 in the right eye and 5/200 or worse in the left eye warrants a 30 percent disability rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. The Veteran contends he is entitled to a 60 percent rating due to documented incapacitating episodes, but his records show only one such episode during the appeal period.

The Board has granted an initial 20 percent rating for the Veteran's bilateral dry eye syndrome, finding that it results in dysfunction of the lacrimal apparatus.

The Veteran's piriformis syndrome of the left lower extremity is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's stress fractures of her left and right legs have been granted initial compensable ratings (10%) effective August 1, 2020.

The Veteran's dependent spouse and stepchildren were removed from his VA disability compensation award due to a divorce, effective June 1, 2021. The appeal for restoration of these dependents is denied.

The Veteran's spouse was added as a dependent effective from May 11, 2022, and the Board granted this claim.

Your appeal for payment or reimbursement of non-VA treatment on October 21, 2018 has been dismissed as the expenses have already been written-off and there is no remaining balance.

The Veteran's appeal for higher SMC ratings and a 10% rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is denied. The Veteran is already receiving the maximum allowable compensation for loss of use of a creative organ (female sexual arousal disorder). Her other service-connected conditions do not interfere with her employability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for non-receipt of educational assistance benefits checks, finding that his claim was not filed within the six-year statute of limitations imposed by the Barring Act.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial evaluation of his service-connected right ankle disability was granted, and he is now receiving a 20 percent rating effective from April 22, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her service-connected reflux nephropathy is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the severity of her symptoms and their relation to her medications.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's emphysema is related to his in-service exposure to fuel and exhaust fumes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous directives regarding service connection for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). Another remand is required.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's motion to revise a previous decision due to an interpretation error, as the October 2019 filing was actually a motion for reconsideration rather than a claim of CUE.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including permanent loss of use of both feet, meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hip and leg disorders due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's lay reports of symptoms during and after service are considered, along with his specific risk factors.