Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's cause of death was granted service connection in a September 2023 rating decision, making the original appeal moot.

The Veteran's right thumb impairment is rated at 30 percent, but no higher, as a moderately severe muscle disability. The appeal for a separate rating for nerve damage affecting the right thumb is remanded.

The Veteran's left elbow strain, which occurred during active duty service and was related to parachute jumps he participated in, has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition was granted with a 30% disability evaluation effective May 5, 2022. The Board found no basis to grant an earlier effective date.

The appeal has been resolved in full by administrative action as the VHA administratively approved the appellant's claim for payment or reimbursement of dental services provided to the Veteran on January 28, 2020. The appeal is therefore dismissed.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's unspecified trauma or stressor related disorder, finding that his disability picture more nearly approximates the level of severity required for this rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and needs to obtain treatment records from a private orthopedist.

The Veteran's claim for a 20 percent rating for right foot sinus tarsi syndrome was granted with an effective date of June 14, 2018. The Board found that the disability had been manifested by symptoms more nearly approximating the criteria for a 20 percent rating since she filed her initial claim on June 14, 2018.

The Board has identified a duty to assist error and has remanded the claim of entitlement to TDIU due to incomplete VA records. The Veteran is advised to submit any non-VA treatment records that may be relevant to this claim.

The Board denied service connection for memory loss and lack of concentration, as well as a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 14, 2023, and a higher than 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss from that date.

The Veteran's dental services provided by the appellant on September 23, 2020 are eligible for VA payment. However, due to a system issue in processing the claims, the matter is remanded to instruct the appellant to resubmit the claim and for VHA to process it.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of three issues related to payment for non-VA medical services provided on March 30, April 6, and June 4, 2021. The Veteran received care through the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) by an authorized in-network provider, but no determination was made by VA regarding these claims.

The Board found that the overpayment of $336.00 due to the termination of VA compensation benefits for a deceased spouse was valid and denied recovery, finding fault on both the Veteran's part and the VA's in creating the debt.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lower back pain, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disability and an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and his cremains have not been interred in a cemetery. Therefore, the claim for burial benefits is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses incurred on January 28, 2021 due to a lack of VA authorization for such services.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for severe cardiomyopathy, finding that there was no evidence linking his condition to active service or environmental exposures. The Board concluded that the Veteran's cardiomyopathy is more likely caused by alcohol use rather than service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a waiver of the recoupment of an overpayment debt in the amount of $735 arising from VA education-related benefits. The decision found that the Veteran contributed to the creation of his overpayment by failing to notify the AOJ of his status change, and thus waived the overpayment is denied.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, including spastic sphincter with dyssynergic defecation pattern and constipation due to undiagnosed illness, is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent. The Board finds that his symptoms do not meet the criteria for an extraschedular evaluation, but refers the case to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral macular degeneration and photophobia as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.