The Board remands the claims for service connection for left arm, wrist, and elbow disabilities to ensure that VA fulfills its duty to assist in substantiating the appeal by obtaining a more comprehensive medical examination.
The deciding factor: The November 2021 VA examiner's statements concerning gouty arthritis appear to be internally inconsistent, as it is unclear whether the disability has been present at any time since July 2014. The Board finds these opinions inadequate for readjudicating the Veteran's appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- gouty arthritis affecting the shoulder joint, gouty arthritis affecting the left wrist, gouty arthritis affecting the left elbow
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 10, 2022
- Citation
- 22001242
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 granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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