The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for an arthritic condition due to inadequate etiology opinions provided in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's lay statements, testimony before the Board, and in-service injuries are considered in determining the cause of his current osteoarthritis disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the previous etiology opinions did not adequately consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding joint pain and the in-service injury, and thus required additional examination to address these factors.
- Claimed conditions
- arthritic condition, right elbow osteoarthritis, left elbow osteoarthritis, right ankle osteoarthritis, left ankle osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 14, 2021
- Citation
- 21074090
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 21074090.
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 a left 5th metatarsal fracture, as well as secondary service connection for left foot and ankle osteoarthritis to the same condition. The decision is based on evidence that supports these claims.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left ankle osteoarthritis, right ankle osteoarthritis, and right foot metatarsalgia.,Service connection is established based on direct evidence of the conditions in question.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for presumptive service connection for left elbow osteoarthritis, finding that his symptoms manifested within a year of discharge from active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another, as well as initial disability ratings for his left ankle osteoarthritis and right lower extremity radiculitis, are being remanded due to deficiencies in VA examinations and duty-to-assist errors.
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