The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right wrist disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, neck disorder (secondary to service-connected ankle disorders), low back disorder (secondary to service-connected ankle disorders), and bilateral knee disorder (secondary to service-connected ankle disorders) are remanded for further development.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is granted for right eye glaucoma.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral foot disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder were clearly present in service, with evidence of treatment and complaints during active duty service.,Further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right wrist disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, neck disorder (secondary to service-connected ankle disorders), low back disorder (secondary to service-connected ankle disorders), and bilateral knee disorder (secondary to service-connected ankle disorders).,The Veteran testified that he was prescribed incorrect eyedrops by his VA pharmacy, which resulted in an increase in eye pressure. The RO should obtain relevant VA treatment records and provide a VA examination to determine if the proximate cause of the right eye glaucoma is due to carelessness, negligence, or error on the part of VA.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral foot disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), right wrist disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, right eye glaucoma
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20078122
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 20078122.
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 was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as higher levels of special monthly compensation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disorder to obtain additional medical evidence and ensure that the Veteran is afforded every possible consideration.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a low back disorder was dismissed as the RO granted service connection in a November 2023 rating decision.
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