The Veteran's deviated septum is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.,Service connection for HTN is granted based on the PACT Act due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,The Veteran has a skin condition (basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratoses, seborrheic keratoses) that may be service-connected as it was diagnosed during his period of active duty.,Service connection for mechanical low back pain is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.,Service connection for coccyx strain is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.,Service connection for left knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's STRs do not document complaints, treatments, or diagnosis for a deviated septum. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his military service.,The PACT Act added HTN to the presumptive list of diseases associated with exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. As the Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam during the relevant period, he is granted service connection for HTN on a presumptive basis.,While the Veteran has been diagnosed with skin conditions during his period of active duty, there is insufficient evidence to confirm or deny their relationship to his military service.,The VA examiner found that there was insufficient evidence to warrant or confirm a current clinically significant diagnosis of an acute or chronic low back disorder or its residuals. A new examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability.,The VA examiner found that there was insufficient evidence to warrant or confirm a current clinically significant diagnosis of an acute or chronic coccyx disorder or its residuals. A new examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's coccyx pain.,The VA examiner found that there was insufficient evidence to warrant or confirm a current clinically significant diagnosis of an acute or chronic left knee condition or its residuals. A new examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic deviated septum, Hypertension (HTN), Skin condition, Mechanical low back pain, Coccyx strain, Left knee disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 4, 2023
- Citation
- 23025801
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 23025801.
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 Veteran's TDIU claim for bilateral knee disabilities and his right and left knee scars have been granted. He is now rated at a combined 60% disability rating from June 1, 2018 based on bilateral factors for his bilateral knee disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's entitlement to higher level of SMC at the intermediate rate is granted, effective from January 8, 2021. He was previously in need of aid and attendance due to his left knee disability since February 1, 2017, and now has additional disabilities rated at 50 percent or more.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Squamous cell carcinoma of mouth and a skin condition due to inadequate medical opinions and potential exposure to toxins during service.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or functional impairment.
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