Other conditions Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral eye cataracts and macular degeneration was denied, while his TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral cataracts are related to his service-connected diabetes. The claim will be returned for further review.

The Veteran's dependent children were restored to his VA disability compensation award, effective January 1, 2021. The appeal is dismissed as the issue is moot.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for esophageal cancer, finding that his current condition is related to his military service and exposure to Agent Orange. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Board has denied service connection for a dental condition for compensation purposes due to the absence of compensable dental disabilities. The claim is remanded for further development regarding eligibility for dental treatment purposes.

The Board has granted the appellant's eligibility for attorney fees in the amount of $12,144.10 based on past-due benefits awarded in a September 2021 rating decision.

The appeal has been dismissed as the AOJ administratively approved the claim for payment of non-VA medical services provided on July 7, 2020.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the Veteran was already granted retroactive CRDP payment, so there is no longer a case or controversy.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine the validity of his overpayment debt. The AOJ must address whether the debt was validly created and provide an audit of how it was created.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the inguinal hernia claim, and the Board dismissed it.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis has been granted with a maximum schedular rating of 100 percent, effective August 10, 2022. The appeal is dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has already been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance has been dismissed due to their death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate this appeal as the appellant (Veteran) has died.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to add his spouse, D., as a dependent spouse for VA purposes based on providing the date of their marriage.

The Veteran's SMC benefits were awarded effective March 29, 2021. However, retroactive payments were withheld pending a determination of his competency status. The AOJ found the Veteran competent in February 2024 and notified him that he should receive his first payment within 7-10 days.

The Board has determined that the decision regarding personal care services is legally inadequate and requires a more detailed medical opinion to support the conclusion.

The Veteran's essential thrombocythemia is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. The Board found the evidence sufficient to establish a link between his condition and his military service.

The appeal was dismissed due to the appellant's death, and no final decision can be made.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, as claims do not survive their deaths. The case is now closed without prejudice.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's surviving spouse, finding that she did not meet the requirements of living continuously with the Veteran prior to his death and was not married to him for a year prior.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound criteria. The Board denied this claim, finding that the earliest possible effective date was June 16, 2022.