The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the left shoulder, right shoulder, left hip, right hip, and left knee as secondary to service-connected right knee disability due to a lack of an opinion addressing whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by the service-connected right knee disability.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there is insufficient evidence in the record to determine if the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, and thus remanded for further clarification.
- Claimed conditions
- rheumatoid arthritis of the left shoulder, rheumatoid arthritis of the right shoulder, rheumatoid arthritis of the left hip, rheumatoid arthritis of the right hip, rheumatoid arthritis of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 15, 2018
- Citation
- 18150440
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 18150440.
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 Board remands the claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of various body parts due to in-service exposure to hazardous materials, as an addendum opinion is needed.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis of the left shoulder, right shoulder, left hip, and left knee due to his withdrawal of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his lumbar condition is a congenital defect or disease, and if so, whether it was aggravated by military service. The Veteran also seeks service connection for radiculopathy of both lower extremities.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lumbar disc disease, left hip injury and arthritis, and right hip injury and arthritis. The decision is based on new evidence received after the April 2020 rating decision that supports a finding of in-service causation.
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