The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's wound infection and failed skin graft are related to his hernia repair surgery. The case will be returned to the AOJ after obtaining any necessary medical records.
The deciding factor: The VA medical opinion obtained on remand is not adequate, as it does not address whether the claimed disability was a reasonably foreseeable result of the planned surgery.
- Claimed conditions
- wound infection, failed skin graft
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 21, 2015
- Citation
- 1517118
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1517118.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's post-surgical wound infection, abcess, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are found to be a result of VA medical treatment. The Board finds that the proximate cause was not due to VA fault or an unforeseen event.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional abdominal disability, including wound infection and abdominal weakness, is related to the August 2007 VA surgery. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran experienced multiple complications following his VA surgery, including infections and other health issues. However, the evidence does not support a finding that these complications were caused by carelessness or negligence on VA's part.
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