The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to a duty to assist error and the claims are intertwined with the bilateral oophorectomy claim. The Veteran contends that she underwent a removal of her ovaries as a result of the service-connected hysterectomy, but the VA examiner found no evidence of ovarian conditions in her records. She also submitted medical evidence showing she had a bilateral oophorectomy and a private opinion provided a positive nexus for service connection.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not provide an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's ovarian conditions, including bilateral oophorectomy.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral oophorectomy, ovaries removed
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2026
- Citation
- A26016862
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 A26016862.
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 Veteran's hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy are granted a 50 percent rating. The Veteran's scars, right para-median and lower abdomen/pelvis status-post hysterectomy, are denied as not compensable. The Board has remanded the issues of increased rating for service connected neurocardiogenic syncope and individual unemployability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for endometriosis, status post exploratory laparotomy and total abdominal hysterectomy as the Veteran's condition had its onset during active service.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's gynecological and/or menstrual disorder, including endometriosis, hysterectomy, and bilateral oophorectomy, is directly related to service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and other surgeries, contributed to her death from methadone toxicity.
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