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 assigned
- None in this 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1517118.
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.
- 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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.
- 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.
- 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.