The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for gout of multiple joints, a scalp cyst, and PFB/folliculitis. The Veteran's claims are pending as the records confirming his periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA in the Navy Reserve have not been obtained. Additionally, he needs a VA examination with an appropriate specialist to address the onset and causation of gout, and another with a dermatologist to assess the severity of his service-connected skin conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found insufficient information regarding the origin, nature, extent, and causation of the Veteran's claimed conditions, necessitating further examination and review.
- Claimed conditions
- gout of multiple joints, cyst, scalp, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and folliculitis, back and scalp
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 11, 2018
- Citation
- 18133922
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 18133922.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gout of the wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet, as well as a skin disorder manifested by fungus of the left hand and fingernails. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also established. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than any presumption or secondary theory.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to evaluate the appellant's various disorders.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide him with a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed arthritis and gout.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected gout of multiple joints was rated at 40% prior to April 28, 2010. The Board denied an increased rating as there were no issues related to service connection and the evidence did not support a higher rating based on active process or chronic residuals.
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