Other conditions Board decisions

The Board denied the appellant's claim for nonservice-connected (NSC) survivor's pension benefits due to her countable income exceeding the applicable maximum annual pension rate (MAPR).

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA ambulance transportation provided on August 22, 2019 was dismissed as the VA has already approved and paid the expenses.

The Board found that the withholding of VA compensation benefits due to concurrent receipt of VA disability compensation and drill pay for 40 days during FY 2019 was proper, as there is no evidence indicating the overpayment debt was inaccurately calculated or that the Veteran did not complete 40 drill days.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for colitis has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's urethral stricture disease with bladder diverticulum, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to an injury during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has determined that the reduction of survivor's pension benefits, effective February 1, 2018, was proper based on a recalculated countable income after considering unreimbursed medical expenses.

The Veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed because the TDIU has already been granted and effective since October 15, 2017.

The appeal is dismissed because the NOD was not filed by a proper claimant or representative, and there is no POA appointing S.E.A. as the representative for Harper Hutzel Hospital.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of Gulf War examination and for further evaluation of the Veteran's sleep disorder, including its relationship to service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for eligibility to the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) has been remanded due to legal inadequacy in notification and a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for leukemia, finding that the Veteran's condition is related to his military service due to asbestos exposure. The decision also acknowledges potential herbicide exposure but does not establish it.

The Veteran's benign prostatic hyperplasia has been granted a maximum schedular rating of 60 percent, effective throughout the appeal period. The condition causes urine leakage requiring absorbent materials changed more than four times per day.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ulcerative colitis is related to his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis and IVDS, lumbar spine; with residual surgical scar. However, a remand is required for further examination and opinion regarding causation and aggravation.

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 September 30, 2020.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there is no longer a case or controversy for decision since VHA overturned its initial denial and approved the non-VA medical care provided by ASC on November 4, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gynecomastia was denied in August 2016, and the effective date of the grant of service connection is denied as it does not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of lower back pain was denied as there were no prior claims or communications indicating entitlement to this benefit.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 60 percent evaluation of HIV and SMC at the housebound rate is denied. The Board found that there was no evidence showing the Veteran met the criteria for these benefits prior to October 11, 2019.

The Veteran's non-VA dental care provided on July 27, 2020 was initially denied by VA but later approved after the appellant submitted the correct authorization number. The appeal is dismissed as moot since payment has been made.

The Board has restored an apportionment of $250 per month effective February 1, 2015, finding that the appellant experienced hardship and that restoring this amount does not cause undue hardship to the Veteran.