The previously-denied claims for lower back disability and bilateral eye disorder are reopened, but the other claims remain pending.,The Veteran's current eye disorder is related to her in-service exposure to blowing sand and use of Visine. A VA examination is needed to determine if it is due to Persian Gulf War service.,VA will obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran has bilateral knee disabilities, including a history of an acute injury during service.,A VA examination is required to assess whether the Veteran's current joint pain is related to her Persian Gulf War service. A medical opinion should be obtained regarding this issue.,The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if she has any objective manifestations of cold injuries from service, and a medical opinion should be provided on this matter.,A VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran has a current gynecological disorder related to her in-service treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. A medical opinion should be obtained regarding this issue.,The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if she currently suffers from chronic headaches that are related to service, including an in-service head injury.
The deciding factor: New evidence has been submitted that relates to the unestablished fact of whether the Veteran's current lower back and eye disorders are related to her service. The Board finds this new evidence sufficient to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's current eye disorder is presumed due to exposure to blowing sand during service, which could be a presumptive condition for Persian Gulf War service.,VA will obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including whether they are related to her in-service injury and post-service treatment. The examiner must consider all relevant evidence of record.,The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if she has any objective manifestations of cold injuries from service, as well as a medical opinion regarding this issue. A medical opinion should be obtained on the relationship between her current joint pain and Persian Gulf War service.,A VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran's current gynecological disorder is related to her in-service treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. A medical opinion should be provided on this matter.,The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if she currently suffers from chronic headaches that are related to service, including an in-service head injury. A medical opinion should be obtained regarding this issue.
- Claimed conditions
- lower back disability, bilateral eye disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, disability manifested by joint pain (presumably related to Persian Gulf War), cold injuries of bilateral lower extremities, cold injuries of bilateral upper extremities, gynecological disorder (menstrual irregularity and menometrorrhagia), chronic headache disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 3, 2018
- Citation
- 18115620
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 18115620.
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 Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the July 2012 VA examination for the Veteran's left knee disability, and a new addendum opinion is needed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for shin splints, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), stomach disability, and left ear hearing loss due to errors in providing notice of the right to a hearing.
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.