The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left knee disability, right knee disability, right hand/finger disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), back disability, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy. The Board has also determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate these claims.
The deciding factor: The Veteran submitted new and material evidence in the form of nexus opinions which triggered VA's duty to provide examinations regarding the claims. As a result, the Board finds reopening of the issues of service connection for bilateral knee and right hand/finger disabilities is warranted.
- Claimed conditions
- left knee disability, right knee disability, right hand/finger disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), back disability, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 13, 2019
- Citation
- 19185311
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 issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding VA's failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination prior to the rating decision.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- 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).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities to the AOJ for further development and consideration of evidence not previously considered.
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