The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to increased ratings for various disabilities and service connection claims. The case is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing, issuance of an SOC on the effective date issue, and other procedural steps.
The deciding factor: The Veteran requested a Travel Board hearing which must be scheduled as per regulations. Additionally, the appeal includes a claim for an earlier effective date for a major depressive disorder rating, necessitating the issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, left ankle, gastroesophageal reflux disease, radiculitis, left lower extremity, degenerative joint disease, right knee
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 27, 2012
- Citation
- 1229378
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 1229378.
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 has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, as there are insufficient medical opinions and records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal stricture and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion regarding the latter condition. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining such an opinion.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was denied, and his claims for right knee, left knee, right hand, left hand, GERD, neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss were also denied. The effective date of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted on December 14, 2022.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for gastroesophageal reflux disease and obstructive sleep apnea have been withdrawn, and the claims are dismissed.
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