Other conditions Board decisions

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on your claim as it is no longer pending.

The Board has granted the Appellant's request for an effective date of March 5, 2019 for basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits. The decision is based on the untimely response to a notification letter due to postal service interruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Veteran's daughter, L.W., applied for accrued benefits on behalf of her deceased father. The Board denied the request as she did not meet the eligibility criteria to be recognized as a substitute claimant due to her age and lack of evidence showing she bore any expenses related to her father's last sickness or burial.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's drug abuse was caused by his service-connected dysthymic disorder and thoracic spine disability. The AOJ will need to obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician to address the relevant medical records.

Your claims for payment of non-VA medical services on July 13 and 14, 2020 were denied. However, the VA approved your claim in July 2021 and notified you that the expenses would be paid.

The Veteran's claim for additional dependency compensation benefits for his parents was dismissed as a matter of law because the AOJ and Board actions in another AMA appeal stream resulted in a full grant of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for femoral-acetabular impingement and degenerative joint disease of both hips as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The claim for an increased rating for IVDS affecting L2-L5 was denied.

The Veteran's request for waiver of recovery of overpayment of VA pension benefits in the amount of $31,382.00 was timely filed and granted.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for right and left restless leg syndrome are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board will consider the evidence of record at the time of the January 2021 decision on appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for payment of medical expenses related to COVID-19 testing by Aegis Sciences Corporation on August 7, 2020 and August 25, 2020 as the underlying case or controversy has been resolved.

The Veteran's claim for beneficiary travel reimbursement on September 6, 2023 is remanded due to incomplete and unclear evidence. The AOJ must provide a clear decision with all required content.

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty in Vietnam is related to his condition.

The Board dismissed the appellant's application for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) as she failed to identify a specific rating decision containing CUE or clearly state the basis for her application.

The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent rating for his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood is granted, effective from the date of the claim on April 10, 2020.

The appeal concerning the payment of non-VA dental care provided on December 3, 2019, has been dismissed as the claim was administratively approved by VA.

The Veteran's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is granted a 100% evaluation effective September 20, 2021. Additionally, the Veteran is awarded special monthly compensation (SMC) based on statutory housebound status effective September 20, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder condition is remanded due to inadequate pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there is no longer a case or controversy for decision due to VHA overturning its initial denial and approving the non-VA medical care provided by ASC on December 10, 2020.

The appeal regarding reimbursement of non-VA emergency treatment provided by Kishwaukee Hospital from May 27, 2019, to May 29, 2019, has been resolved in full by administrative action and is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TMJ is denied, and his rating for Mechanical Back Pain Syndrome with Degenerative Spondylolisthesis remains at 40 percent.