The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any jaw disorder that may be present. The Veteran is presumed to have been in sound condition with respect to his jaw when he entered service.
The deciding factor: The decision was remanded because there was no medical opinion addressing the etiology of the current jaw disorder, which could not be determined without a VA examination.
- Claimed conditions
- jaw disorder, TMJ
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 4, 2020
- Citation
- A20016456
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A20016456.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for his jaw disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for TMJ (also claimed as bruxism) has been dismissed because she withdrew her request to continue the appeal.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for vertigo as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected TMJ. The effective date will be determined by the AOJ.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for TMJ, thoracolumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder were dismissed due to untimeliness of the Notice of Disagreement.
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