The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for service-connected gout of the left and right knees, as well as spondylosis of the lumbar spine due to lack of recent VA examinations.
The deciding factor: The most recent VA examinations were conducted in April 2016 and September 2016, which are outdated and do not reflect current severity of the service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- gout of the left knee, gout of the right knee, spondylosis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20034388
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20034388.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gout of the right knee, left knee, right toes, left foot, and right wrist. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examination provided was inadequate for rating purposes and remanded the case for further development, including a supplemental medical examination.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, effective April 2025.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the appeals for ratings in excess of 10 percent and 30 percent for various gout conditions affecting the right knee, left knee, left ankle, left hand, and left elbow. The claims were denied based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for higher ratings.
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.