The Board has denied service connection for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease, as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions. The claims for thyroid condition, low back disability, and type II diabetes mellitus are REMANDED due to incomplete development.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's STRs do not show any diagnoses of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or Lyme Disease, and there is no evidence of such in-service exposure or treatment. The current lack of a diagnosis precludes service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20074348
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeals for a compensable rating for Lyme Disease and entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). As a result, the Board dismissed these issues.
- Denied
The veteran's claims for service connection for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, acute disseminating encephalitis as secondary to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and a bilateral shoulder disability were denied due to lack of evidence supporting the conditions being incurred or aggravated during active duty.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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.