Other conditions Board decisions

The Board found that the reduction of nonservice-connected pension benefits effective February 1, 2015 was procedurally proper and based on the Veteran's receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) income. The decision also noted that the reduction was factually proper as it aligned with the calculated monthly pension rate based on the Veteran's SSA income.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 2, 2022 for the award of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to acute myeloid leukemia. The appeal is not about a presumption or exposure basis.

The Board dismissed the appeal because a waiver of recovery for the overpayment was granted, making the challenge to its validity moot.

The Veteran's household income was found to be in excess of the applicable maximum annual pension rate (MAPR), resulting in denial of a nonservice-connected pension.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination opinions regarding the Veteran's CADSIL, and a new examination is required.

The Board has determined that the decision regarding payment of non-VA medical care provided by Hutchinson Regional Medical Center on March 26, 2021 is unclear and requires further review under section 1725. The underlying medical records need to be associated with the claims file for a proper determination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a right hamstring disability was denied as there was no attempt to appeal or reopen the claim prior to February 16, 2021.

The Veteran's death did not qualify for nonservice-connected burial benefits as he was not in receipt of VA compensation or pension at the time of his death and no pending claims existed.

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

The Veteran's non-VA COVID-19 testing provided on September 1, 2020 was covered by VA due to the public health emergency and no prior authorization was required. The appeal is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs further examination to determine if the Veteran's benign prostatic hypertrophy status post TURP is related to service, particularly considering his exposure to Agent Orange.

The appeal is dismissed as the March 2020 supplemental claim seeking review of the January 2020 apportionment decision was improperly filed and acted upon.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his grant of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the earliest effective date is April 7, 2020.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for entitlement to additional attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the January 2023 rating decision as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for educational benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill was dismissed due to his death, and the case will be held in abeyance until a request for substitution is processed.

The appeal contesting eligibility to a direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in an April 2022 rating decision is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for vitiligo was denied. However, a separate 10 percent rating was granted for alopecia areata.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left Haglund's deformity is dismissed as the issue has been granted.,New and relevant evidence was received to readjudicate claims for left heel spur, right heel spur, right Haglund's deformity, and right pinky toe bunion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for blepharitis (anterior) with dry eye syndrome and recurrent corneal erosion is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current eye conditions, including whether they are related to Gulf War exposure or an elective PRK procedure.

The Veteran's herpes simplex virus is granted a 30 percent evaluation, effective January 22, 2019. The Veteran's Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD) remains noncompensable. SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is granted.