Other conditions Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's dental or oral condition, specifically TMJ disorder. The AOJ will need to obtain additional medical opinions to address these issues.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for payment of non-VA medical services provided on October 11, 2020 and from October 26, 2020 to October 27, 2020 as these claims were resolved by administrative action.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic suppurative otitis media (ear infections) due to the Veteran's in-service treatment and current diagnosis, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's skin disorder covered more than 40 percent of his total body area and exposed areas from September 15, 2016, to February 5, 2019. The Board granted a rating of 60 percent disabled for this period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for residuals of a fracture to the base of his left thumb was granted, and he is now receiving a 20% disability rating. For his thoracic spine disability, he received increased ratings from August 4, 2013 to August 4, 2014 (40%), and since then (since August 4, 2013) the highest rating of 40% was granted. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective from August 4, 2013.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits was waived due to undue hardship caused by his financial situation and inability to afford basic necessities.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the criteria for DIC under 38 USC § 1318 were not met.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder and a gynecological disorder, finding that there is no current disability or evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The appeal is denied as there was no VA authorization for the non-VA medical services provided on January 13, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for additional VA educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill was dismissed as her entitlement to benefits had already been granted and she received the requested education assistance.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the VA had already resolved the issue by approving payment of non-VA medical care provided by Aegis Sciences Corporation on December 8, 2020.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 13, 2020 for the award of DIC benefits based on a private medical opinion linking the Veteran's death to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for variable extrathoracic upper airway obstruction as there is no competent medical evidence to support the claim and the available records do not show a diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred on December 2 and 3, 2019, at Baptist Health Regional Hospital is denied as he did not receive VA health care within the 24-month period preceding the treatment.

The Veteran's ulcerative colitis and colectomy are remanded for a VA TERA examination to determine if they are related to service, particularly his exposure to asbestos and other toxins while serving as a Navy radioman.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for liver cancer is granted from August 30, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran submitted a request for extension of the time limit for filing a complete claim due to circumstances related to COVID-19 and honored this request.

The Board dismissed the appeal as it does not have jurisdiction to review the claims for payment of non-VA medical services provided by appellant on August 31, 2020.

The Board denied the claim for accrued benefits due to the Veteran's spouse because the Appellant is not considered a child under VA regulations and did not provide proof of payment for the last sickness and burial expenses.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for payment of non-VA dental services provided on September 27, 2019 and March 18, 2020 due to administrative actions that reversed initial denials based on untimeliness.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the Claimant did not file a Notice of Disagreement within the required time frame for an apportionment decision, and no extension was granted.