The Board has decided that another remand is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's appendix condition and any residuals from his December 2015 appendectomy, as the April 2020 opinion was based on an inaccurate factual premise.
The deciding factor: The April 2020 opinion was based on an inaccurate factual premise regarding the timing of the Veteran's appendectomy and its relationship to his service-connected inguinal hernia.
- Claimed conditions
- appendix condition, residuals of appendectomy removal
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 18, 2021
- Citation
- 21064015
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 21064015.
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.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an appendix condition and/or residuals of appendix removal as secondary to his service-connected inguinal hernia, finding that there is no medical evidence establishing a link between the current disability and the service-connected disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, and removal of appendix due to lack of evidence or need for further examination. The claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for status post right hemicolectomy remains denied as new and material evidence has not been received.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including L5-S1 degenerative disc disease, was reopened and granted. The Veteran is also granted service connection for depression. However, the rating for small intestine resection with bowel obstruction remains at 40 percent.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.