The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and examinations.,The Veteran's hypertension and sinusitis cases require additional examination as recent VA records are over two years old.,An examination is needed to determine if the Veteran’s inguinal hernia is related to his military service, specifically exposure to burn pits.,A new evaluation of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is required due to potential aggravation by his service-connected conditions and medication use.,The Veteran needs a VA examination to assess whether he has an acquired psychiatric disorder separate from his PTSD with secondary depressive disorder.
The deciding factor: To ensure that all relevant medical records are considered, updated treatment records need to be obtained. Additionally, the claims require current evaluations as recent examinations are outdated.,The Veteran's hypertension and sinusitis have not been evaluated in over two years, so new evidence is needed for a fair assessment of their severity.,The inguinal hernia claim requires an examination that considers exposure to burn pits during service. The VA examiner’s opinion was insufficient as it did not address the specific etiology based on the Veteran's history and current symptoms.,An evaluation of erectile dysfunction must be conducted due to potential aggravation by other conditions, including PTSD with secondary depressive disorder. The VA examiner’s opinion was inadequate because it did not consider whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities aggravated his erectile dysfunction.,The Veteran needs a comprehensive examination to determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder separate from his service-connected PTSD and its associated depression and anxiety.
- Claimed conditions
- Sinusitis, Hypertension, Inguinal Hernia, Erectile Dysfunction, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (to include Bipolar Disorder)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 23, 2018
- Citation
- 18143742
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18143742.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
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.