The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's temporomandibular joint disorder is related to service. The VA examiner's opinion was based on a lack of documented treatment, and thus an addendum opinion must be obtained.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion was based solely on the absence of documented treatment after service, which does not provide sufficient evidence to determine if there is a nexus between the current disability and service.
- Claimed conditions
- temporomandibular joint disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2026
- Citation
- A26031960
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 A26031960.
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 appeal for service connection for a temporomandibular joint disorder is dismissed due to procedural defects in the claims processing.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a temporomandibular joint disorder as there is no current diagnosis or functional impairment associated with the condition.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection and rating determinations have become moot.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed temporomandibular joint disorder is service-connected, as there is an approximate equipoise of evidence regarding its onset during or shortly after service.
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