Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral eye disability was granted, with an effective date of October 30, 2019. The current rating of 20 percent is maintained from June 24, 2020 onwards.

The Board denied payment of non-VA medical expenses incurred from September 30, 2023 to April 22, 2024 due to lack of VA authorization for the services.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the contractual payment rate for dental services provided by a non-VA provider on July 29, 2020, is subject to a specific administrative dispute resolution process under Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs) that does not allow for appellate review.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for payment or reimbursement of medical services performed on November 9, December 3, and December 10, 2020 due to the Appellant's submission of evidence showing that coverage for medically necessary COVID-19 tests is mandated under the law.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for polycythemia vera, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disability and in-service herbicide exposure or any other service event. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of a causal relationship.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of right and left foot instability, finding that the earliest possible effective date is April 20, 2001.

The Veteran's application to add his spouse, H.J.Y., as a dependent was denied due to incomplete marital history. The Board finds that the AOJ committed pre-decisional duty to assist errors and requires remand for proper VCAA notification and development of the claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical services provided by Chanjinel Home Care Service from June 25, 2019, to June 27, 2019, was administratively approved.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed left lower extremity disability, including a cold weather injury. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an adequate VA examination and provide a medical opinion on the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of his appeal regarding a change in his copay eligibility category, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as per VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right thumb and elbow disabilities have been denied. The right thumb disability is currently rated at 10% since September 22, 2015. The right elbow disability was initially rated at 10%, then changed to 30% effective September 25, 2019, and subsequently back down to 10% thereafter.

The Veteran's medical expenses incurred at Cleveland Kidney and Hypertension Consultants, Inc. were denied payment or reimbursement by VA due to the claims being filed past the 90-day deadline.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disability, finding that there is no evidence of a compensable dental condition. The Veteran's teeth were re-implanted in service and are not considered missing or replaced.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the VHA had already authorized payment for the medical services provided by the appellant on December 18, 2020.

The Board's decision addressing the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses, including those incurred on June 6, 2019, and September 3, 2019, is vacated due to a lack of VA determination. The appeal is dismissed as there has been no determination by VA.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's TMJ disability may be related to his service-connected sleep apnea, but more evidence is needed for a definitive decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his cerebrovascular accident, which caused his visual field defect.

The Board has granted service connection for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, but denied service connection for athlete's foot and frozen feet. The Veteran was found to have symptoms consistent with other specified trauma-and-stressor-related disorder due to in-service events, while the evidence did not support a diagnosis of athlete's foot or frozen feet.

The Board has determined that the medical evidence is insufficient to resolve whether the Veteran has or had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma during the appeal period. The case is being remanded for further clarification of the Veteran's diagnoses and a determination regarding service connection.