Other conditions Board decisions

The appeal for payment of $5,478.93 for non-VA emergency medical services provided to the Veteran on November 30, 2019 is dismissed as the administrative approval constitutes a full grant of the benefit sought.

The appeal was dismissed because the issue of payment for non-VA medical care provided on August 3, 2020, has been resolved by administrative action.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the claim for payment of non-VA medical expenses provided on November 30, 2020 has been fully granted and paid by VA.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for payment of non-VA medical services provided from May 23, 2015 to May 31, 2015 as the VA approved and paid in full the appellant's claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hallux rigidus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right-hand condition was granted with an effective date of April 24, 2015.

The Veteran's son, who is over the age of 23 and not permanently incapable of self-support at the time of his father's death, cannot be recognized as a child for VA purposes and therefore does not meet the threshold requirements to receive DIC benefits.

The Veteran's stepchild, T.B., was added as a dependent to the Veteran's award in September 2020. The appellant is eligible for additional attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded for this dependency beginning June 1, 2016.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the VHA has already authorized and paid for the non-VA dental services provided on February 20, 2020.

Your appeal for service connection for left eye injury with vision loss has been dismissed due to the Veteran's passing. The Board cannot issue a decision on this claim as it is no longer pending.

The Veteran's right thumb disability, characterized by arthritis with painful limited motion but not limitation of motion with a gap greater than two inches between the thumb pad and fingers, was rated at 10 percent. The Board denied an increased rating as the current level of disability did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right-hand condition was denied. The Board found that the current noncompensable rating adequately reflected the Veteran's symptoms and disability level. For TDIU and DEA, the effective dates were granted as of July 19, 2019, based on the evidence showing the Veteran became unable to work due to his service-connected disabilities since at least October 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to an overpayment of $58,858.87 in DIC benefits and requires a detailed audit to determine the validity of this amount.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for herpes simplex is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The VA needs to schedule the Veteran for an appropriate examination to determine if he has a current diagnosis of herpes simplex and whether it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address the relationship between the Veteran's left elbow disability and his service, as there was a duty to assist error in prior decisions.

The appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death was dismissed as the claimant did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement within one year of receiving the November 5, 2020 decision.

The appeal concerning the payment of non-VA emergency medical services provided on July 23, 2020, is dismissed as the claim was administratively approved by VA.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA dental care at South Florida Oral and Maxiofacial Surgery on December 27, 2019 was dismissed as the VA has already paid/reimbursed the provider.

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 care provided by AKHC on October 9, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a condition manifesting in lower abdominal pain, pelvic pain, and testicle pain and swelling is remanded due to the need for new evidence and an examination.