The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection is denied. The Board has found that a rating in excess of 10 percent for gout, left great toe and degenerative joint disease with gouty changes prior to March 24, 2016, and from March 24, 2016, but no higher, is warranted. Service connection for lumbar spine condition and sleep apnea are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's gout and degenerative joint disease with gouty changes meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 24, 2016, and from March 24, 2016, but no higher. Service connection for lumbar spine condition and sleep apnea are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.
- Claimed conditions
- gout, degenerative joint disease with gouty changes, lumbar spine condition, sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18153393
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 18153393.
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 Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's gout claim for additional development, including obtaining an adequate VA examination and ensuring all relevant records are obtained. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.
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