The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD, lumbar degenerative disc disease and strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left thumb ulnar collateral ligament surgery, status post reconstruction/fusion with ankylosis, left thumb sensory neuropathy, and ganglion cyst, left ankle due to outstanding VA medical records from the Little Rock VA Medical Center not being associated with the claims file.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there are no records from the Little Rock VA Medical Center in the claims file, which could be relevant to the appellant's service connection claims and must be obtained.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease and Strain, Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy of the Sciatic Nerve, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy of the Sciatic Nerve, Left Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament Surgery, Status Post Reconstruction/Fusion with Ankylosis, Left Thumb Sensory Neuropathy, Ganglion Cyst, Left Ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19159801
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 19159801.
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 Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 21, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress.
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
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