The Veteran's Sjogren's syndrome is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to service, specifically exposure to burn pits during her deployment in Afghanistan.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no medical research supporting a causal relationship between the development of Sjogren's syndrome and exposure to environmental hazards in Afghanistan during service. The Board finds this inadequate for adjudication purposes and remands for additional examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Sjogren's syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 19, 2023
- Citation
- 23039783
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23039783.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome is granted.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset in service or as a result of a disease or injury in active service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including lupus and Sjogren's syndrome, were granted. The rating for Raynaud's disease was restored to a lower level, and the effective dates for TDIU and DEA were established.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased rating for Raynaud's disease and service connection for Sjogren's syndrome as the appellant withdrew her appeal prior to a decision.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's Sjogren's syndrome is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.
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