The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the issues of higher initial ratings and remand for additional examinations are still pending.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on the Veteran's reported symptoms and medical records that support his claims. However, further evidence is needed to determine the appropriate disability ratings and to ensure proper evaluations of his service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- dizziness and loss of balance, umbilical hernia and diastasis recti (claimed as knots in stomach), broken ribs, chest pain, speech problems (including stuttering), hair loss, loss of sex drive, left shoulder degenerative arthritis and impingement syndrome, right hand strain (limitation of motion of the thumb), left hand strain (limitation of motion of the thumb), right knee degenerative arthritis and patellofemoral stress syndrome, left knee chondromalacia and patellofemoral pain syndrome, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), tension headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18158646
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 18158646.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and pernicious anemia, and the Board dismissed both appeals.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right lower extremity sciatica associated with the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine strain, but remanded claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and sleep apnea.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as the appellant does not have a documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a prostate condition, GERD, PTSD, erectile dysfunction, arthritis (trigger finger), and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.
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