The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for joint pain as due to an undiagnosed illness is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of private treatment records.
The deciding factor: The prior examinations did not fully satisfy the requirements set forth in Correia v. McDonald (2016) and Sharp v. Shulkin (2017).
- Claimed conditions
- Joint pain, Lumbar spine, Cervical spine, Knees, Elbows, Wrist
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 30, 2018
- Citation
- 1825129
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 1825129.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis, muscle pain, joint pain, sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue, migraine headaches, and sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals regarding proposed reductions in ratings for right upper extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine conditions due to procedural issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received with respect to all the service connection claims on appeal. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for joint pain, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, hypertension prior to August 10, 2022, and a bowel disorder due to inadequacies in the medical opinions provided.
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.