Other conditions Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a constant cough, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and concluding that the claimed condition is not related to military service.

The Veteran's adopted children, Key. and Ke's., were not recognized as his adopted children for the purpose of increased DIC benefits because they were legally adopted more than two years after the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for discontinuance of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits, effective March 1, 2024. The decision states that the Veteran did not submit a complete Employment Questionnaire within the required time period to retain his TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for recognition of J. as his dependent spouse, M. as a stepchild, and S. as a child was denied due to the lack of evidence establishing a valid common law marriage between the Veteran and J., despite their living together and having children.

The Veteran's service-connected mantel cell lymphoma is granted a permanent and total rating, as the condition is reasonably certain to continue throughout his life.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the proposed reduction of the disability rating for TMJ with bruxism from 40 percent to 20 percent was not an appealable issue as it was not a final rating action.

The Veteran's child, C., is recognized as a dependent for VA compensation purposes from June 30, 2016 until May 4, 2022. However, additional dependency compensation is not warranted after C.'s 18th birthday.

The Veteran's left eye disability, specifically the residuals of a left optic nerve tumor, is rated at 40 percent effective July 13, 2010. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of August 7, 2023 for service connection of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML), which was denied in a previous rating decision. The claim was received within one year of the PACT Act's effective date and meets eligibility criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left hip limitations of abduction, extension, and flexion are remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a heart disability (mitral valve prolapse) due to new and relevant evidence, finding that it was aggravated by military service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for TDIU, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's insomnia, which was granted service connection for in April 2021 and rated at 10 percent from October 28, 2020 to June 20, 2024, is denied as the evidence does not show that his symptoms are more than mild or transient.

The Board found that the reduction of pension benefits from May 1, 2024 was proper based on the Veteran's countable income.

The Veteran's herpes simplex virus (genital herpes) required constant or near-constant systemic therapy throughout the rating period, warranting an initial rating of 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims file is incomplete and requires additional records to be obtained before making a decision on his eligibility for VA home loan guaranty benefits.

The Veteran's appeal to enroll in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) was dismissed because he concurrently filed a request for higher-level review and a Board appeal, which constitutes an impermissible concurrent election.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal regarding the payment of nonservice-connected pension benefits, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a calculation error in the overpayment of VA compensation benefits totaling $22,589.54 for the Veteran's former spouse P., effective July 1, 2002. The debt will be recalculated considering any previous debts and the award of an earlier effective date for additional compensation for the Veteran's current spouse C.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. As a result, the Board has dismissed this case.