The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the appellant's claims for service connection due to the lack of probative value in previous opinions and the presence of additional evidence received since those opinions.
The deciding factor: The provided medical opinions are of limited probative value, as they either use speculative language or reference other causes contributing to the appellant's current symptoms. The new evidence includes private treatment records and statements from a fellow service member that support the appellant's claim for service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- swelling, edema, cellulitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 20, 2016
- Citation
- 1636685
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 1636685.
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: Denied
The Board denied service connection for the cause of death due to lack of evidence showing a link between any service-connected disability and the Veteran's death. The conditions listed on his death certificate were not related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of cellulitis and there is no recent diagnosis prior to his claim. Therefore, service connection for cellulitis is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his liver disorder, heart disorder, erectile dysfunction, edema, right hip arthritis, and left hip arthritis.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for edema, finding that it is a symptom of his already service-connected coronary artery disease with CABG and myocardial infraction.
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