The Veteran's pinguecula is remanded for further examination to determine its likely cause.,The Veteran's left ankle disability, loss of sensation in the left and right hands, acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety and depressive disorder), left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability are all remanded as they may be related to his service-connected back disability. The Veteran also has other issues that need examination including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis based on limitation of flexion and extension is remanded for further examination.
The deciding factor: The Veteran reported eye problems from pinguecula due to exposure to burn pits and toxins in the air while stationed in Iraq. The examiner should determine if there was clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition did not undergo a permanent increase in disability beyond the natural progression of the disease or injury during active duty service, and whether it underwent such an increase for any period of ACDUTRA.,The Veteran reported left ankle pain and swelling due to lifting heavy equipment and rigorous training in service while exposed to extreme weather in the Gulf War/Iraq. The examiner should determine if there was a permanent increase in disability beyond the natural progression of the disease or injury for any period of ACDUTRA, and whether it is at least as likely as not that such disability was incurred in or related to his military service.,The Veteran reported loss of sensation in both hands due to lifting heavy equipment and rigorous training in service while exposed to extreme weather in the Gulf War/Iraq. The examiner should determine if there was a permanent increase in disability beyond the natural progression of the disease or injury for any period of ACDUTRA, and whether it is at least as likely as not that such disability was incurred in or related to his military service.,The Veteran reported an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety and depressive disorder) due to deployment and participation in war as well as secondary to pain from his service-connected disabilities. The examiner should determine if there was a permanent increase in disability beyond the natural progression of the disease or injury for any period of ACDUTRA, and whether it is at least as likely as not that such disability was incurred in or related to his military service.,The Veteran reported left shoulder strain, impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis. The examiner should determine if there was a permanent increase in disability beyond the natural progression of the disease or injury for any period of ACDUTRA, and whether it is at least as likely as not that such disability was incurred in or related to his military service.,The Veteran reported lumbar spondylosis/myositis and multilevel degenerative disc disease due to lifting heavy equipment and rigorous training in service while exposed to extreme weather in the Gulf War/Iraq. The examiner should determine if there was a permanent increase in disability beyond the natural progression of the disease or injury for any period of ACDUTRA, and whether it is at least as likely as not that such disability was incurred in or related to his military service.,The Veteran reported gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to lifting heavy equipment and rigorous training in service while exposed to extreme weather in the Gulf War/Iraq. The examiner should determine if there was a permanent increase in disability beyond the natural progression of the disease or injury for any period of ACDUTRA, and whether it is at least as likely as not that such disability was incurred in or related to his military service.,The Veteran reported allergic rhinitis due to lifting heavy equipment and rigorous training in service while exposed to extreme weather in the Gulf War/Iraq. The examiner should determine if there was a permanent increase in disability beyond the natural progression of the disease or injury for any period of ACDUTRA, and whether it is at least as likely as not that such disability was incurred in or related to his military service.,The Veteran reported right knee degenerative arthritis based on limitation of flexion due to lifting heavy equipment and rigorous training in service while exposed to extreme weather in the Gulf War/Iraq. The examiner should determine if there was a permanent increase in disability beyond the natural progression of the disease or injury for any period of ACDUTRA, and whether it is at least as likely as not that such disability was incurred in or related to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Pinguecula, Left Ankle Disability, Left Hand Loss of Sensation, Right Hand Loss of Sensation
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21022676
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 21022676.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction and voiding dysfunction have been denied due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to his in-service exposure.,The remaining service connection claims (for bilateral feet, ankles, hip, wrist, cervical spine, upper extremity radiculopathy, psychiatric disorder, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension) are remanded for further development.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for GAD is denied as his anxiety symptoms are subsumed under PTSD.,Service connection for Right Shoulder Strain and Left Ankle Disability is denied due to lack of current diagnosis or evidence of functional impairment.
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