The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings, service connection, and reopening of a claim are remanded due to new examinations being required. The issues of service connection for fibromyalgia (Gulf War illness) and whether new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection for left foot pes planus remain pending.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional medical examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left elbow disorder, determine the nature and etiology of his left hip and rib disorders, and address whether new evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen a claim for service connection for left foot pes planus.
- Claimed conditions
- left elbow tendinopathy, left hip disorder, left side rib disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19183190
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 left hip disorder to be further developed, including an examination.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and rating issues, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these matters.
- Partly granted
The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity, lumbar radiculopathy as they were already granted. The claims for service connection for a right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, and cervical spine disorder are remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and left hip disorder as they are inextricably intertwined with each other.
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