Other conditions Board decisions

The appellant's appeal for accrued benefits is dismissed as the Veteran had a pending claim at the time of his death, and she was recognized as the substitute claimant to process the Veteran's claims. The appellant's rights as a substitute are greater than those for accrued benefits, so her accrued benefits claim is moot.

The appeal is dismissed as the issue of payment for non-VA dental services provided on October 11, 2019 has been resolved by administrative action.

The Veteran's appeal for reimbursement of beneficiary travel expenses on February 17, 2021 is dismissed as the underlying issue was resolved during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for peptic ulcer, finding that it manifested within one year of the appellant's separation from active service in August 1972 and there have been subsequent manifestations during the appeal period. The other issues on appeal are being remanded.

The Veteran's esophageal dysmotility is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition and whether he has ever had dysphagia, which could affect his disability rating.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic lymphocytic leukemia is granted due to exposure to herbicide agents during his naval service in Vietnam.

The appeal as to the denial of the claim for entitlement to specially adapted housing remains and is dismissed due to improper form use.

DIC benefits are granted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities for over ten years at the time of his death. The survivor's pension claim is dismissed as DIC is a greater benefit.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or related to any service-connected disability, and he did not meet the criteria for burial benefits as his death was not due to a condition that would warrant such benefits.

The Board has determined that the appeal seeking additional payment under a Veterans Care Agreement (VCA) for COVID-19 testing provided on January 7, 2021, is dismissed due to the specific dispute resolution process established by law and regulation.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there is no administrative review process for disputes over contractual payment rates under Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs).

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there is no administrative review process for disputes over contractual payment rates under Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for payment of pre-authorized acupuncture services on March 7, 2017 and March 15, 2017. The decision is based on the fact that the treatment was within the limits of the Veteran's pre-authorization.

The appeal for initial eligibility and any accrued benefits under VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is denied as the Veteran was not an eligible veteran at the time of his death.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding payment for home health services provided by Premier Home Health to the Veteran from March 2, 2020, to March 30, 2020. The appellant's claim was not timely and submitted more than 180 days past the date of service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for stomach ulcers was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The Board found that a compensable rating for epistaxis could not be assigned due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer, which was caused by his exposure to herbicide agents in service, is considered the cause of his death. Therefore, DIC benefits are granted.

The Veteran's craniotomy defect, with minimal skull loss, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating as there was no evidence of loss of part of the skull, both inner and outer tables, without brain hernia, of an area larger than the size of a 50-cent piece or 1.140 square inches (7.355 square centimeters).

The Board has revised an April 2010 rating decision to assign a February 15, 1989 effective date for the grant of service connection for stress fractures of the left pubic ramus, right pubic ramus, and right proximal tibia due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE).