The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development and lack of compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's neck and scalp cysts are being reviewed again, but the hepatitis C claim is pending as a statement of the case has not yet been issued.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not adequately consider all relevant evidence in the April 2020 remand directive regarding the onset of the Veteran's neck and scalp cysts during service due to radiation exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- neck and scalp cysts, hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- Ionizing radiation
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 24, 2021
- Citation
- 21031515
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 21031515.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for cervical disc disease with radiculopathy, secondary to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Board also granted ratings of 50%, 80%, and 40% for various neurological conditions affecting the lower extremities, as well as a rating of 60% for hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver is rated at 100 percent prior to January 7, 2022. The Board has remanded for further development regarding his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine and TMJ conditions, prevent him from securing and following gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU effective April 29, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding direct service connection for neck and scalp cysts, as well as a review of secondary service connection if applicable. The remand also requested additional records to be obtained.
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