The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as any outstanding SSA records. The AOJ will issue an SSOC on the issues of service connection for xerosis cutis, higher ratings for right elbow supination/pronation impairment, left elbow supination/pronation impairment, scars (x3) status post-right knee surgery, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, entitlement to a TDIU rating, and waiver of recovery of an overpayment of disability compensation benefits.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has submitted new evidence since the last SOC that needs to be considered in conjunction with his claims. The AOJ must issue an SSOC on all relevant issues.
- Claimed conditions
- xerosis cutis, bilateral pterygium, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the right elbow, degenerative arthritis of the left elbow, degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 18, 2015
- Citation
- 1535220
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 1535220.
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 appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The claims for increased ratings and individual unemployability have all been dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's asthma and xerosis cutis have been granted initial ratings, but the right upper extremity neurological disability and left upper extremity neurological disability claims are being remanded for further development.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is also being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining the Veteran's complete service treatment records, particularly a separation examination report.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, along with other disabilities, rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of April 1, 2020. She is granted a TDIU effective from that date.,Effective April 1, 2020, the Veteran also received SMC at the 's' rate due to having one service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling and additional disabilities independently rated at least 60 percent disabling.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.