The veteran's appeal involves two issues: service connection for residuals of a sacral fracture and degenerative osteoarthritis of the sacrococcygeal joint, claimed as secondary to his service-connected pilonidal cystectomy; and an increased rating for post-operative scar residuals of pilonidal cystectomy. The Board has determined that both matters are inextricably intertwined and must be adjudicated together.
The deciding factor: The veteran's appeal involves two interrelated issues: service connection for secondary disabilities to his existing condition, and a claim for an increased rating for another disability. Both issues involve the same underlying conditions and require consideration of the same evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of sacral fracture, degenerative osteoarthritis of the sacrococcygeal joint
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2008
- Citation
- 0839846
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 0839846.
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 has determined that the veteran's post-operative scar residuals of pilonidal cystectomy do not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, as they are tender and painful but cover an area less than 12 square inches.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
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