The Board has remanded the DIC benefits claim due to insufficient development of records, including VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The cause of death is suspected to be related to HIV, but without a complete medical history, it cannot be determined if service connection can be established.
The deciding factor: Insufficient evidence was provided to determine if the Veteran's HIV condition was aggravated by his military service or if he had any pre-existing conditions that were exacerbated during service.
- Claimed conditions
- HIV
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2021
- Citation
- 21021820
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21021820.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and sleep apnea have been withdrawn. The appeal concerning service connection for HIV has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection for HIV, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, migraine headaches, erectile dysfunction, and Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was granted effective February 18, 2000.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected HIV and related conditions have resulted in the effective loss of use of his left foot, meeting the criteria for automobile or adaptive equipment eligibility.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for HIV and drug abuse secondary to PTSD with manic depression, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.
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