The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for costochondritis is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. His claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded as it has been reasonably raised by his testimony and treatment records.
The deciding factor: The decision was remanded because the Veteran's condition may have worsened over time, necessitating a new medical examination to assess its current severity. The issue of TDIU is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim for costochondritis.
- Claimed conditions
- Costochondritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20066169
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,455 · Granted: 23% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20066169.
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: Granted
The reduction in rating for the Veteran's back condition from 40% to 20%, effective September 1, 2025 is improper and void ab initio. The petition to reverse this reduction is granted. An increased rating for costochondritis is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 18, 2012, for a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The Board found that the Veteran was not unemployable within one year prior to his July 18, 2012, claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial compensable rating for costochondritis is denied, and the Board has remanded his claim of service connection for a headache condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's costochondritis and asthma have been granted service connection, with a 10% evaluation for asthma.
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