The Board has remanded the case due to unclear markings on a clinical record form from an in-service full mouth teeth extraction procedure, which may indicate whether the Veteran received a blood transfusion. The examiner is asked to determine if the current ankylosis spondylitis was caused or aggravated by any in-service blood transfusions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that clarification on the markings on the clinical record form from the March 1965 full mouth teeth extraction procedure is needed to determine whether a blood transfusion occurred and its relation to the Veteran's current ankylosis spondylitis.
- Claimed conditions
- ankylosis spondylitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 23, 2023
- Citation
- 23046729
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 23046729.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an increased rating for ankylosis spondylitis and remanded the claim for an increased rating for Crohn's disease due to missing private treatment records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case because there are outstanding service records that may confirm whether a blood transfusion occurred during service. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with these records.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain and granted service connection based on direct evidence of a link between his current lumbar spine disorders and service. The Veteran sustained back injuries in service, including lifting heavy objects and falling off a trailer, which led to diagnosed conditions such as degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and spondylolisthesis.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal before the Board could make a decision.
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.