The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate statement of reasons and bases in its April 2020 decision, which incorrectly required that the Veteran exhibit the exact symptoms outlined in DC 6516. The Veteran's chronic tonsillitis is currently rated by analogy under DC 6516.
The deciding factor: The Board erroneously required the Veteran to exhibit the exact symptoms outlined in DC 6516, even though it rated the condition by analogy.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic tonsillitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2021
- Citation
- 21071015
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 21071015.
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 his appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected chronic tonsillitis, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for Raynaud's disease, chronic tonsillitis, and GERD based on the Veteran's credible reported history of continued symptoms since active duty service.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to a formal defect related to the Veteran's concurrent election of multiple review options for the same issues.
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for chronic tonsillitis based on the Veteran's symptoms including intermittent productive cough with acute infection requiring a course of antibiotics at least twice a year.
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.