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

The Veteran's claims of higher ratings for her right elbow condition and service connection for a neck disorder are being remanded. Additionally, the need for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is also being addressed.

The deciding factor: The Board found that additional evidence was needed to determine the severity of the Veteran's right elbow condition and to assess whether her neck disorder is related to her service-connected right elbow disability or if it is due to other factors. The need for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is also being addressed.

Claimed conditions
Right elbow osteoarthritis, Neck disorder
How they argued it
Secondary to another service-connected condition
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
January 30, 2020
Citation
20008067

Veterans Law Judge

RYAN T. KESSEL

Decisions by this judge: 2,199 · Granted: 25% (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 20008067.

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.