The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right wrist, left wrist, right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and foot conditions. The VA is instructed to obtain medical records from Drs. C.A., D.G., and Occupational Health Cape Fear. Additionally, a new examination is required to determine if the Veteran has current diagnoses of these conditions and whether they are related to service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the previous opinions were inadequate due to lack of use of the 'as likely as not' standard and reliance on an absence of medical evidence without considering the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service activities and symptoms post-service.
- Claimed conditions
- right wrist, left wrist, right knee, left knee, right shoulder, right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, irregular heartbeat
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 12, 2018
- Citation
- 18134390
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 18134390.
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 Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% and cannot be increased.,SMC at the housebound rate is granted from January 11, 2021 due to multiple service-connected disabilities.,A TDIU rating effective October 28, 2011 is granted based on inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to migraine headaches.,Eligibility for DEA benefits is granted but no earlier than the date of claim (April 5, 1999).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the claims for increased rating and service connection must be remanded due to inadequate examinations and duty-to-assist errors.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions including hypoglycemia, sinusitis, left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, right foot plantar fasciitis, left ankle pain, left hip osteoarthritis, left knee sprain, bradycardia, dry eye, hernia, hypercholesterolemia, and bilateral hearing loss.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis and remanded the claims of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and migraines secondary to insomnia.
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.