The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations related to his abdominal scars, muscle weakness, and nutritional deficiencies. The issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for residual scars status post appendectomy and bowel obstruction surgery, compensable rating for these scars beginning August 22, 2022, and TDIU are being remanded.
The deciding factor: The claims require additional examinations to address the Veteran's complaints of muscle weakness and nutritional deficiencies related to his abdominal scars.
- Claimed conditions
- residual scars status post appendectomy and bowel obstruction surgery, muscle weakness
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 6, 2023
- Citation
- 23013397
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 23013397.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded due to new evidence submitted after the initial decision, which includes private dermatologist treatment records diagnosing lymphedema. The VA examiner's opinion prior to this submission was deemed inadequate.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands all service connection claims for additional development, including obtaining a TERA memorandum and new medical opinions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for muscle weakness, anoxic brain injury, heart failure, and dysphagia as secondary to respiratory failure with hypoxia, and denied special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for muscle weakness as it was not shown to be secondary to a service-connected disability.
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