The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's metastatic salivary duct carcinoma and his service-connected diabetes mellitus, as well as the potential aggravation of the condition by his service-connected disabilities. The claims for periodontal disease are also inextricably intertwined with the claim for metastatic salivary duct carcinoma.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's metastatic salivary duct carcinoma and his diabetes mellitus, as well as any aggravation of the condition by service-connected disabilities, are insufficient to make a determination on the merits.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic salivary duct carcinoma, periodontal disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 11, 2020
- Citation
- 20039919
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 20039919.
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 periodontal disease is service-connected for treatment purposes only, given his current 100% schedular evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A new VA examination is required.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental disorder (periodontal disease) as there was no new and relevant evidence received since the June 2019 rating decision to support her claim.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to need regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as moot.
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