The Board remanded the issue of reasonable attorney fees based on past-due benefits granted in May 2023. The Veteran's eligibility for direct payment of attorney fees was confirmed, but the specific amount of fees needs further review.

The deciding factor: The Board lacks original jurisdiction to determine the validity or reasonableness of fee agreements created after June 23, 2008, and thus remanded the issue to the Office of General Counsel for evaluation.

Claimed conditions

acquired psychiatric disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

70%

Decision date

January 24, 2025

Citation

A25006266

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