The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of esophageal varices, including as a symptom or byproduct of any other related condition.
The deciding factor: The AOJ committed multiple duty-to-assist errors prior to - or within - the February 2022 rating decision on appeal, necessitating remand for an adequate VA examination and consideration of all applicable diagnostic codes under the Ratings Schedule.
- Claimed conditions
- esophageal varices
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 7, 2024
- Citation
- A24072722
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 granted service connection for liver cancer, diabetes mellitus, esophageal varices, and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C with cirrhosis of the liver. The appeal for cirrhosis of the liver was dismissed due to a full and complete grant of benefits. Service connection for GERD and a gastrointestinal disorder was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for hepatic steatosis and esophageal varices to obtain a medical opinion from an examiner well-versed in Camp Lejeune contaminated water matters.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disorder and remanded the claims for hypertension, esophageal varices, acid reflux disease / GERD, and diabetes mellitus type II.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus, but denied his claims for sleep apnea, hepatitis C, high blood pressure, esophageal varices, cirrhosis, and gallstones. The Board found no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.
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