Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Remanded (sent back)

The Veteran's appeal involves increased initial ratings for service-connected multiple sclerosis residuals and related issues, including a TDIU rating and an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status. The case is being remanded to evaluate the Veteran’s multiple sclerosis and its associated residuals.

The deciding factor: The claim requires further evaluation of the Veteran's multiple sclerosis and its associated residuals due to recent worsening symptoms.

Claimed conditions
loss of sensation of the left lower extremity, mild swallowing difficulties, voiding dysfunction, left eye neuritis, right and left upper extremity weakness
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
March 1, 2019
Citation
19115080

Veterans Law Judge

MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER

Decisions by this judge: 2,329 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)

Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.

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 19115080.

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.

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.