The Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for left hip and left ankle disabilities have been granted. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection for thyroid cancer, breast mass, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, hypertension, digestive disorder, respiratory condition, upper back/neck disability, migraine headaches, and others.
The deciding factor: The Veteran presented new evidence that relates to previously unestablished facts necessary for grants of service connection. The Board has also identified several issues requiring further development due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Hip Disability, Left Ankle Disability, Arthritis - Extremities, Feet, Toes, Hands, Fingers, Right Elbow, Left Shoulder Disability, Upper Back and/or Neck Disability, Disability of the Feet, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Gulf War Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Unexplained Multi-symptom Illness), Respiratory Condition - Asthma and/or Bronchitis, Tuberculosis, Sleep Apnea, Hypertension, Digestive Disorder - Gastritis, Chronic Diarrhea, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Pancreatic Mass, Breast Mass, Migraine Headaches
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 11, 2018
- Citation
- 18156647
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 18156647.
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 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.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and service.
- 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.