The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's loss of taste and smell is related to his service, including exposure to toxins in the Persian Gulf or treatment for pneumonia. The examiner must also address whether any loss of taste or smell is due to tobacco use.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the previous VA examination was inadequate and remanded for a new one with specific instructions.
- Claimed conditions
- loss of taste, loss of smell
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 29, 2017
- Citation
- 1709858
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 1709858.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Granted
Effective June 15, 2021, service connection for residuals of a stroke with neurological issues of the left leg and loss of balance has been granted.,Effective June 15, 2021, service connection for visual impairment has been granted.,Effective June 15, 2021, service connection for Parkinson's disease has been granted.,Effective June 15, 2021, service connection for a neurological disability of the left upper extremity has been granted.,Effective June 15, 2021, service connection for erectile dysfunction has been granted.,Effective March 3, 2022, service connection for a neurological disability of the right upper extremity has been granted.,Effective March 3, 2022, service connection for difficulty swallowing and chewing on the left side has been granted.,Effective March 3, 2022, service connection for stooped posture of the left side has been granted.,Effective March 3, 2022, service connection for stooped posture of the right side has been granted.,Effective March 3, 2022, service connection for loss of smell has been granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims were granted effective from May 6, 2020. His SMC claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not affect his ability to work.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for loss of smell, finding that there was no evidence showing a present disability and no nexus to military service or any service-connected condition.
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