The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's seroma disability was a foreseeable consequence of the March 2013 panniculectomy surgery and aftercare, and if so, whether VA's standard of care was appropriate. The AOJ must also obtain all relevant treatment records.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional medical opinions are needed to address theories of entitlement raised by the record regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- rectus muscle disability, chronic seroma, hematoma, capsulated seroma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 10, 2023
- Citation
- 23055235
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 23055235.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a total left knee replacement was denied because the evidence did not support finding that the additional disabilities were caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's bowel duct problems and scar are being remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between her conditions and VA treatment. The issue of service connection is also being remanded.
- Granted
The Board has granted compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a hematoma, recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI), and urinary incontinence resulting from VA treatment between October 6, 2014 to October 23, 2014. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded.
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