The Board has remanded multiple claims for service connection, including for DJD of various joints and related disabilities such as hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, and tinnitus. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.
The deciding factor: The claims were not fully developed due to language barriers and incomplete medical opinions regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the left ankle, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the right ankle, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the left elbow, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the right elbow, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the left hip, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the right hip, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the left foot, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the right foot, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the left wrist, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the right wrist, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the right knee, Hypothyroidism, Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetic Neuropathy of the left upper extremity, Diabetic Neuropathy of the right upper extremity, Diabetic Neuropathy of the left lower extremity, Diabetic Neuropathy of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 14, 2018
- Citation
- 18135107
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 18135107.
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 appeal was granted for various disabilities, including service connection for depressive disorder and increased evaluations for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting multiple nerve groups. A SMC based on need for aid and attendance was also awarded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and diabetes are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial PCAFC application was granted in December 2022, effective from December 21, 2022. The Board found that the criteria for eligibility were met since his initial application in December 2020.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for high blood pressure, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), aortic valve regurgitation, and hypothyroidism as the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis or chronic symptoms.
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