The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed mixed connective tissue disease, as all other claims are intertwined with this diagnosis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has provided evidence of a current diagnosis of mixed connective tissue disease, which he argues is related to service. The Board finds that remand is necessary for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Polyarticular joint pain, Thoracolumbar spine disability, Left shin splint, Right shin splint, Left hand disability, Right hand disability, Left dorsal wrist disability, Right dorsal wrist disability, Left foot disability, Right foot disability
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 30, 2021
- Citation
- 21077554
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 21077554.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the Board found that they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, upper extremity neurological, and lower extremity neurological disabilities due to inadequate VA medical examinations in March 2019 and January-May 2016. The new examinations must consider the Veteran's reported onset dates for his symptoms.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for acne vulgaris is dismissed. Service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the left foot disability claim is remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted based on the evidence provided.
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