Other conditions Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeal for payment of non-VA medical care provided by Aegis Sciences Corporation on August 23, 2021, as it is not within the jurisdiction of the Board to review such claims due to contractual agreements between VA and the provider network.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person was granted after the initial decision. The appeal is dismissed as moot because the grant constitutes a full grant of the benefit sought.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him helpless or so nearly helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a denial of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is dismissed. The claim for accrued benefits is also dismissed as moot.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for payment of non-VA ambulance expenses incurred on February 17, 2020 was not properly adjudicated under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1725 and 38 C.F.R. § 17.1003 due to errors in the AOJ's decision process. The appeal is being remanded for further action.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the ambulance transportation claim was resolved in favor of the Veteran when payment was issued by VHA.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the November 2019 rating decision and issues related to the appellant's eligibility as a substitute claimant.

The Veteran's claim for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits was denied due to insufficient qualifying active-duty service. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain the necessary service personnel records and determine if any of the Veteran's periods of service constitute qualifying active-duty service.

The Veteran's stepchild G. and child O. were added as dependents to his VA disability compensation award, effective August 11, 2021.,Both additions have been denied due to the failure to submit claims within one year of the events.

The Board dismissed the appeal as it does not have authority to decide whether VA should pay for medical services provided by a non-VA provider under the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP). The decision is based on the lack of authorization for payment.

The Veteran's appeal for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) was denied because he had already elected and received education benefits under Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill). The Board found that the law bars duplication of eligibility based on a single period of service, which applied to his case.

The Board dismissed the appeal for VA medical travel reimbursement as the appellant requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Board has determined that there is a possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claim for service connection due to in-service complaints and pain. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if any current hernia disability is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's surviving spouse appeal was denied as the appellant and the Veteran were divorced at the time of the Veteran's death, and there is no evidence of a valid common law marriage after their divorce. The Board found that the appellant cannot be recognized as the Veteran's surviving spouse for VA purposes.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the claim for payment of non-VA medical services provided on December 14, 2020 was resolved in favor of the appellant through an administrative action.

The Board denied the appeals for payment of non-VA medical expenses incurred on March 4, 2021, and March 8, 2021, due to a lack of VA authorization.

The appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The appeal for a Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The appeal was dismissed as the VA payment for medical services provided by a non-VA provider on July 5, 2020 has been administratively approved.

The Veteran's claim for chronic systolic congestive heart failure was denied as there is no evidence of a service-connected condition prior to September 10, 2021.