The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for bilateral varices and service connection for sinus disorder due to burn pit exposure. The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for his varices, which he contends are not adequately addressed in previous examinations. For his sinus disorder claim, the Board found that there was insufficient evidence linking it to service or environmental exposures.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinions were inadequate and did not apply the correct legal standard regarding preexisting conditions and aggravation of a nonservice-connected condition by a service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral varices, sinus disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20030396
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 20030396.
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: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for brain disease due to trauma as it was untimely filed. The Board granted service connection for chronic sinusitis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a left leg disorder, low back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and sinus disorder due to an error in not providing notice of the Veteran's right to a pre-decisional hearing.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a sinus disorder, finding that there is no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between service and the claimed condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a sinus disorder and sleep apnea due to inadequate pre-decisional duty to assist. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with additional evidence.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.