The Board has remanded the claims for cirrhosis of the liver and low back disability due to duty-to-assist errors, specifically regarding the need for opinions on whether these conditions are secondary to service-connected PTSD.
The deciding factor: The VA failed to provide an adequate rationale in their previous medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- cirrhosis of the liver, alcohol abuse disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20074717
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 appeals for service connection for various conditions were dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, finding that it was due to herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service in Vietnam.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver, but denied earlier effective dates for service connection and a higher rating for tinnitus.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 100 percent for lung cancer but granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance, effective December 7, 2022.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.