Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was due to VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill in not administering prophylactic antibiotics prior to his dental extractions. As a result, DIC benefits are granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial increased rating on his loss of teeth, related to trauma, is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 28, 2019 was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's current mental health diagnosis of 'other specified trauma and stressor related disorder' (claimed as PTSD/depression/anxiety) is granted as service-connected, with the appeal being based on new evidence that verified an in-service stressor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as there is no current diagnosis of sleep disturbances or insomnia, and the evidence does not support a link to his military service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal due to a new rating decision that satisfied his previous appeal. As the appeal was withdrawn, it is dismissed.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hip pain as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for hypogonadism, low testosterone, and Hashimoto's disease due to toxic exposure risk activity. The VA examiners found no link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal for additional payment of non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) dental treatment services provided in June 2022 is dismissed due to jurisdictional issues.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for supraventricular arrhythmia was not proper due to an error in applying the law, and therefore restored the original service-connected status.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, as secondary to his service-connected deviated nasal septum. The decision is based on an error in notifying the Veteran of his right to a hearing before VA.

The Board denied the application for enrollment in the PCAFC due to the death of the Veteran, making it impossible to complete all required steps and designate a Primary Family Caregiver.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lipomas of the chest and right middle back, a higher initial rating for major depressive disorder, and a higher initial rating for migraine headaches due to an error in not providing notice of the right to a hearing.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on anatomical loss of both breasts under 38 U.S.C. 1114(k) was denied because the statute does not authorize SMC for male veterans.

The Board has determined that the attorney is eligible for payment of fees based on past-due benefits from a July 2021 decision that increased the rate of DIC benefits awarded to the Veteran's surviving spouse. The increase was within the scope of work performed by the attorney and not an initial decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current dry eye syndrome to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral eye conditions as untimely and because the claims have been fully granted.

The Board found that the appellant was eligible for attorney fees based on past due benefits awarded to the Veteran in a May 2024 rating decision. However, it also found that her accreditation had lapsed and referred the issue to OGC for a reasonableness determination. The appeal is remanded to clarify whether an attorney fee of $2,045.84 was paid and generate a new fee decision.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal for eligibility to enroll in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). The Board dismissed the case as a result.