The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding service connection for a disorder manifested by problems swallowing (disphagia). The Veteran's current diagnoses of prostate disorders, panic attacks, and sinusitis are denied. The Veteran is also not entitled to a compensable rating for his sinusitis.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence does not support service connection for the claimed conditions due to lack of medical nexus or sufficient lay evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Prostate disorder, Panic attacks, Sinusitis, Disphagia
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 4, 2020
- Citation
- 20038544
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 20038544.
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 Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at a noncompensable evaluation. The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for sinusitis as of February 19, 2021, based on the number and duration of incapacitating episodes requiring antibiotic treatment.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions, left knee condition, right knee condition, and sinusitis. The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic laryngeal papillomatosis.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested to withdraw their appeal.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bladder and prostate disorders, finding that the evidence does not support a link to service or environmental exposures. The Veteran's claims were based on direct causation rather than presumptive exposure.
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