The veteran seeks service connection for cysts as the residual of exposure to toxic chemicals (including Agent Orange), increased evaluations for his service-connected low back disability and duodenal ulcer disease, and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability. The case is being remanded due to incomplete information regarding overseas service, need for additional examinations, and VCAA notification requirements.
The deciding factor: The veteran's claim requires clarification of his overseas service and further examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- cysts, spondylolisthesis at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra and first sacral segment with spondylolysis, duodenal ulcer disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 14, 2003
- Citation
- 0304731
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0304731.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected hematuria, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Board also remanded several claims for service connection.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for tinnitus and cysts, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these claims.
- Dismissed
The veteran's appeal requests for service connection for various conditions were denied as the appeals were not timely filed.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left elbow and left-hand disabilities from March 1, 2021, and right elbow and shoulder disabilities as secondary to rheumatoid arthritis. The claim for cysts was denied.
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