The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, render him unemployable. The case is REMANDED for a comprehensive examination to determine the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: VA examinations have not been conducted in over 5 years, and there are recent changes in the Veteran's disability status that may affect his employability. A new examination is needed to assess the current impact of all service-connected conditions on his ability to work.
- Claimed conditions
- hypertension with hypertensive nephropathy and heart disease, anxiety disorder with mood disorder and alcohol abuse, degenerative joint disease of the right ankle, lumbosacral spine strain and degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease of the left ankle status post arthroscopy, surgical scar of the left ankle, left wrist disability, residuals of appendectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 12, 2015
- Citation
- 1506433
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 1506433.
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 Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal as to the issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for left foot metatarsalgia, tinnitus, left wrist disability, right foot plantar warts, and for service connection for right foot plantar warts at a September 2024 hearing. Service connection was granted for migraines.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, RLE sciatica, LLE sciatica, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, hypothyroidism, alopecia, and solar urticaria. These claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for migraines, a left shoulder disability, a right elbow disability, a left wrist disability, and a bilateral ankle disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the claims of service connection for right and left wrist disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis, need further examination and opinion to determine if they are related to service or service-connected conditions.
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