The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for multiple joint arthritis, arthritis of the right leg, and arthritis of the left leg due to inadequate VA examination. A new medical opinion is required to determine if these conditions are related to in-service exposure to subzero temperatures.
The deciding factor: The June 2018 CAVC decision found that the April 2013 VA medical opinion was inadequate and remanded for a new examination due to the potential impact of cold injuries on osteoarthritis development.
- Claimed conditions
- multiple joint arthritis, arthritis of the right leg, arthritis of the left leg
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18151428
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 18151428.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple joint arthritis and sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service, and the weight of the medical evidence does not support a link to service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection were withdrawn and dismissed. The appeal regarding a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease is remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for nerve damage of the right leg, left leg, arthritis of the legs, diabetes mellitus, lymphoma, deviated septum, digestive disability, and hernia disability were all granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities do not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent. The claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is remanded due to incomplete medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records.
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