The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, neck disability, headaches, shrapnel wound to the face, tailbone condition, neurological impairment of upper and lower extremities, left shoulder disability, and dental disability due to service connection. The reasons include lack of documented treatment in some cases, need for new examinations, and potential service connection based on a motor vehicle accident.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's claims are remanded because there is insufficient evidence or examination to support the denial of service connection for various disabilities, including those related to his military service. The Veteran testified about injuries sustained in an August 1981 motor vehicle accident and provided lay statements regarding these issues.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disability, neck disability, headaches, shrapnel wound to the face, tailbone condition, neurological impairment of the left upper extremity (loss feeling in the hand), neurological impairment of the right upper extremity (loss feeling in the hand), neurological impairment of the left lower extremity (loss feeling in the foot), neurological impairment of the right lower extremity (loss feeling in the foot), disability manifest by the loss of the ability to stand, left shoulder disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20035418
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 20035418.
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.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and will provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was reopened due to new and material evidence, and the Board found that his current headaches are related to service. Service connection is granted.
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