The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation to consider his current service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to pursue a nursing degree.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has multiple service-connected conditions that may affect his ability to perform in both his current occupational field and the proposed career of pursuing a nursing degree.
- Claimed conditions
- left upper extremity cubital and carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity cubital and carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral tinnitus, left hip strain and labral tear status post arthroscopic surgery with limitation of extension, right hip strain and labral tear status post arthroscopic surgery with limitation of extension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, left lower extremity femoral radiculopathy associated with thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right knee strain, left knee strain, bilateral hearing loss, right hip strain and labral tear status post arthroscopic surgery with limitation of flexion, left hip strain and labral tear status post arthroscopic surgery with limitation of flexion, right hip strain and labral tear status post arthroscopic surgery with limitation in internal rotation, scars bilateral hips as a residual of arthroscopic surgery, right knee scar, status post meniscectomy, left knee residual scar, status post chondroplasty associated with left knee strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19181279
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, right wrist strain, and TBI. The Veteran's PTSD rating was remanded for further development.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is remanded to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including the failure to obtain relevant treatment records and provide adequate VA examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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