The Board has denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a staph infection/gum disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for a headache disability, rating of low back strain with spondylolisthesis and degenerative disc disease, and ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no additional disability caused by VA medical care related to the staph infection/gum disorder. The appellant's headache disability claim requires a new opinion on causation. The low back strain with spondylolisthesis and degenerative disc disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy ratings require an adequate examination.
- Claimed conditions
- staph infection/gum disorder, headache disability, low back strain with spondylolisthesis and degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20030333
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 20030333.
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 Veteran's claims regarding entitlement to service connection for a headache disability and entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 29, 2014, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for right tibiofibular ligament strain are being remanded due to the need for additional development.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
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