The Veteran's Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is currently rated based on knee manifestations, but the Board notes that his disability affects all of his joints. The RO should consider all applicable diagnostic codes to determine which is/are most appropriate for the Veteran’s disability and schedule an examination to assess the current severity of his Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's Ehlers-Danlos syndrome has not been evaluated based on its overall disease process, but rather only on knee manifestations. The Board recommends a comprehensive evaluation to determine if the entire disease process should be considered for rating purposes.
- Claimed conditions
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20023529
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 20023529.
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 has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and a lack of private treatment records. The RO is instructed to obtain any outstanding private medical records, especially from periods prior to active service, and provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations to determine the current nature and etiology of her bilateral ankle and wrist conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, finding that there was no evidence during his military career that he suffered significantly from multiple joint pains while in service and that the condition did not worsen during his active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an all-joint degenerative condition other than Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The claims for service connection for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and fibromyalgia are denied as there is no evidence showing they were incurred during or related to her active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new medical opinion regarding whether any of the appellant's disorders are forms or manifestations of spina bifida other than spina bifida occulta.
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.