Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Veteran's eligibility for benefits under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to inadequate notice in the August 2021 decision. The claim will be evaluated again using the correct statutory criteria for 'need for supervision, protection, or instruction' as per the Federal Circuit Court's ruling in Veteran Warriors v. VA.

The Veteran's right leg brace causes wear and tear to his clothing, warranting a clothing allowance for the calendar year 2022.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a fracture of the right sternoclavicular joint. The appeal is dismissed as the issue has been granted and there is no justiciable case or controversy.

The Veteran's pancreatitis worsened after a VA endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in April 2022, and the Board has ordered remand to determine if this worsening was due to VA fault or an unforeseeable event.

The Veteran's vitamin D deficiency disability resulted in a confirmed diagnosis of a vitamin deficiency with nonspecific symptoms including weight loss, abdominal discomfort, and weakness. The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's vitamin deficiency disability.

The Veteran's application for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship was denied because she had not completed 60 semester credit hours in a qualifying STEM program, as required by the scholarship criteria.

The Board denied service connection for claw foot (pes cavus) of the left foot as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service occurrence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for interstitial cystitis with frequent urinary tract infections (UTI), to include on an extraschedular basis, and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal regarding a reduction in the rating for Crohn's disease with small and large intestine resection from 50 percent to 30 percent has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's right and left shin splints were not found to warrant a higher rating as they did not meet the criteria for moderate knee or ankle disability.,A TDIU claim prior to December 9, 2019, is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorders due to a lack of an opinion regarding all current disabilities and potential aggravation by preexisting conditions.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The VA must obtain the Veteran's outstanding private treatment records from Sandgate Gardens and Dr. Nduku, and provide an adequate medical opinion regarding the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's skin condition is granted as service connected. The respiratory condition issue has been remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's character of discharge from service is dishonorable, which constitutes a bar to VA benefits. The appeal is denied.

The appeal is dismissed as the medical services provided to the Veteran on August 19, 2020, were authorized by VA through a third-party administrator (TPA), and the appellant was notified to submit the claim for payment within 180 days.