The Board has remanded the claims for seborrheic dermatitis, postoperative tonsillitis and pharyngitis, fracture of the right thumb with traumatic arthritis and limitation of motion, gastritis, and unspecified anxiety disorder due to potential VA treatment records not being associated with the claims folder.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there may be VA treatment records that have not been associated with the claims folder and ordered their association. The remand is for these records to be reviewed by an examiner who will provide opinions on the onset of seborrheic dermatitis, its relationship to service, and the severity of postoperative tonsillitis and pharyngitis.
- Claimed conditions
- seborrheic dermatitis, postoperative tonsillitis and pharyngitis, fracture of the right thumb with traumatic arthritis and limitation of motion, gastritis, unspecified anxiety disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 17, 2020
- Citation
- 20054311
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 20054311.
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 Board has remanded the case due to unclear evidence regarding the diagnosis of gastritis and its relation to service. The Veteran needs to provide records, and a VA examiner will review his medical history and determine if gastritis is related to his military service or any other conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder alone warrants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and he has additional service-connected disabilities rated at least 60 percent. The Board grants special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that remand is needed for the Veteran's claims due to duty to assist errors, including clarification of periods of service and obtaining relevant records. The Veteran will be afforded new medical examinations for each claimed disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders were rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective May 6, 2015.,Effective May 6, 2015, the Veteran was granted an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.
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