Other conditions decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the claims for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) and survivor's pension as DIC was granted in April 2023, making it a full grant of the issue on appeal. The Appellant is receiving greater benefits than what would be available through pension.

The Veteran's urinary stress incontinence is found to have started during service and has continued since then, with the Board granting service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the withholding of VA disability compensation to recoup $48,565.90 of non-disability severance pay is proper and denied the appeal.

The Board has granted a waiver of recovery for an overpayment of $5,720 in VA compensation benefits due to the Veteran's prompt notification of his spouse's death and receipt of additional benefits after her passing.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's rhabdomyolysis is related to his in-service diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his duodenal ulcer rating has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

Your initial eligibility and enrollment in VHA healthcare benefits have been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as moot since the benefit has already been awarded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of right hip strain as secondary to his service-connected left knee strain.

The Veteran's shortness of breath with pleurisy and pleural thickening is related to multiple bouts of pneumonia during his service, which resulted in a current disability. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board recognized M.H. as the Veteran's surviving spouse for purposes of dependency and indemnity compensation benefits due to her lack of knowledge of North Carolina's recognition of common law marriage prior to their attempted marriage in October [REDACTED], 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of malignant neoplasm of the penis, including penectomy, is being remanded due to a procedural issue regarding the appellant's request for substitution as the claimant upon the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder and left thumb disorder are denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis is granted, but the effective date remains at September 26, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right hip degenerative joint disease, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires supervision, protection, or instruction on a continuous basis and is fully dependent on his caregiver for personal care services. As such, he meets the criteria for a Level 2 stipend under the PCAFC.

The VA denied payment for a non-VA COVID-19 test provided to the Veteran on October 14, 2021 due to lack of pre-authorization.