The Board has determined that the issue of whether Sjogren's syndrome is secondary to service-connected fibromyalgia poses a medical problem of such complexity that an advisory opinion from an independent medical expert (specifically, a rheumatologist) is required. The AOJ should follow its established procedures for requesting an advisory opinion.
The deciding factor: The Board found the issue complex and requiring an independent medical expert's opinion due to divergent findings in VA examination reports/medical opinions regarding the relationship between Sjogren's syndrome and service-connected fibromyalgia.
- Claimed conditions
- Sjogren's syndrome
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2023
- Citation
- 23062983
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 23062983.
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 remands the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and Sjogren's syndrome, as well as a TDIU, due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for endometriosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome to correct a pre-decisional error in the duty to assist.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, and disabilities affecting each finger as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease, including exposure to toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for nephrocalcinosis, renal tubular acidosis, chronic renal disease, and Sjogren's syndrome due to a failure to provide VA medical examinations and an inadequate duty to assist.
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