Other conditions Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 1, 2021 and August 1, 2020 for additional dependency compensation for his children A.S.C. and A.E.C., respectively, based on school attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for left index finger, little finger, and ring finger disabilities due to an inadequate September 2017 VA examination. The Veteran needs a clarification on whether pain affects his ability to close his hand with normal excursion, strength, speed, coordination, and endurance.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the Veteran withdrew it before a decision was made.

The Veteran's endometriosis and subsequent hysterectomy are rated, with a 100% rating for the period from August 18, 2020 to November 30, 2020, and a 30% rating thereafter. The Veteran is also granted SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination regarding service connection for left eye condition and breast cancer. The Veteran's left eye condition is related to an insect bite during service, but the VA examiner found this insufficient. For her breast cancer, the Board requested additional information on exposure to toxins at military bases.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection of residuals of heat exposure. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's spouse was reinstated to his compensation award, removing the overpayment and debt of $13,610.49.

The Veteran's HIV is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that an effective date of January 3, 2013 for the grant of service connection for HIV is warranted. The Veteran also contends for a higher initial rating for his HIV, but the current rating criteria do not support such a finding.

The appeal for additional dependency benefits for the Veteran's spouse, K.J.A., is dismissed as moot because a decision granting this benefit was already issued and effective.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and increased rating for a low back disability, including right lower extremity radiculopathy, was granted. The appellant is also eligible to receive attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the April 2023 Rating Decision.

The Veteran's initial eligibility for benefits under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) was granted, and the appeal is dismissed as a matter of law.

The Veteran's left eye epiphora due to tear duct occlusion is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow and bilateral hip disorders are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board will seek another VA examination to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective date, increased ratings, and SMC based on housebound status are remanded due to the complexity of the claims and need for further development.

The Veteran reasonably discharged his duty of support for the minor children, E.G. and S.G., by making monthly child support payments and health insurance premiums. The appellant failed to provide credible evidence of financial hardship beyond what was already covered by the Veteran's payments.

The Board has restored the 10 percent rating for right hip psoriatic arthritis, limitation of extension, effective February 7, 2019. The Veteran's increased ratings claims for other conditions are remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded to determine the number of drill days performed in FY 2016 and recalculate VA compensation benefits based on updated regulations.

The Veteran's appeal concerning their neck condition has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for brain aneurysm is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the May 2020 rating decision. The Board finds that a new medical opinion is needed to address the nature and etiology of her current brain aneurysm disability.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for his 100 percent combined disability rating because it was a freestanding claim and not part of a timely appeal of the AOJ decision.