The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including EBV, NPC, dysphagia, dry mouth, immune homeostasis, and neuropathy of the bilateral feet. The VA has not yet provided a final decision on these matters due to ongoing issues with the January 2016 VHA expert opinion regarding NPC.
The deciding factor: The appeal is remanded as there are unresolved service connection claims that are inextricably intertwined with the pending appeal and require an adequate medical opinion. Additionally, VA treatment records from July 2016 have not been obtained yet.
- Claimed conditions
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), dysphagia, dry mouth, immune homeostasis, neuropathy of the bilateral feet
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1734517
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 1734517.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining any necessary records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a duty to assist error. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder claim will be reconsidered with the inclusion of all relevant private medical records.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for hiatal hernia with gastritis and dysphagia, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dysphagia, and mild esophageal dysmotility. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.
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