The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chronic pancreatitis and internal varices, as well as the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance. The case is being returned to obtain medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The previous medical opinions did not address all lay statements and theories of entitlement raised by the record, and contained several contradictory opinions.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic pancreatitis, internal varices
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 1, 2021
- Citation
- 21071664
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 21071664.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for chronic pancreatitis and diabetes mellitus, Type 2 as secondary to the chronic pancreatitis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for chronic pancreatitis to obtain additional medical opinions regarding its etiology, particularly in relation to toxic exposures during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for chronic pancreatitis as more evidence is needed to determine if it is related to the Veteran's service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for chronic pancreatitis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that the Veteran's alcohol abuse, which was linked to his PTSD, caused his chronic pancreatitis.
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