The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The issues include bilateral hip disorder, hypertensive vascular disease, respiratory disorder (COPD), brain disorder, left knee strain, and right knee injury.
The deciding factor: Previous decisions were based on insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions and the relationship to service or exposure to herbicides. The Board has ordered remand for further evaluation by VA clinicians.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hip disorder, hypertensive vascular disease, respiratory disorder (COPD), brain disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 16, 2021
- Citation
- 21014867
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 21014867.
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 remanded the claims for a VA examination and medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder and bilateral hip disorder are related to his service-connected Crohn's disease.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hip disorders due to a lack of current diagnoses in the medical records.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, heart disorder (atrial fibrillation), and respiratory disorder (COPD). The claims are being remanded due to the need for these opinions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for hypertensive vascular disease, concussion, diabetes mellitus, seizure disability, bilateral pes planus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (alcohol use disorder in sustained remission and PTSD). The effective date for hypertension was denied as the Veteran's claim was received within one year of the PACT Act.
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.