The Veteran's current skin conditions, including basal cell carcinoma, COPD, sleep apnea, GERD, DVT, pulmonary embolism, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, and cervical spine disability are not related to his service-connected disabilities or his conceded TERAs.
The deciding factor: The VA medical opinions provided do not sufficiently address the etiology of the Veteran's current skin conditions in relation to his military service or his conceded TERAs.
- Claimed conditions
- Basal cell carcinoma, COPD, Sleep apnea, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), Pulmonary embolism, Right upper extremity neuropathy, Left upper extremity neuropathy, Cervical spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 27, 2026
- Citation
- A26039023
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 A26039023.
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.
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The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current respiratory disability and active duty service. The VA examiner concluded that the COPD was more likely due to tobacco use rather than asbestos exposure in service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
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