The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional information regarding his occupational history.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that it is not clear from the record whether the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities preclude substantially gainful employment, necessitating further development including a new VA examination and completion of a VA Form 21-8940 (Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability).
- Claimed conditions
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), arthritis of both knees, residuals of left great toe bunionectomy, residuals of right wrist surgery, right thumb strain, tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, hallux valgus of the right great toe
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20067436
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and pernicious anemia, and the Board dismissed both appeals.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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