The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,Additional evidence has been submitted since the last supplemental statement of the case. The Board will consider this evidence during further review.,A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right hand disability, including his grip strength and range of motion.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are being remanded for a new VA examination to reconcile conflicting findings from previous examinations.,An addendum opinion is required to determine whether the Veteran's gout is caused or aggravated by his hypertension. The examiner should also address whether the left eye disorder is related to his service-connected hypertension.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his left eye disorder is being remanded.
The deciding factor: There is evidence suggesting an increase in severity of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, hemorrhoids, and right hand disability since previous examinations. Additional evaluations are needed to determine current symptomatology.,Additional evidence has been submitted since the last supplemental statement of the case. The Board will consider this evidence during further review.,The VA examiner did not conduct joint testing as required by 38 C.F.R. § 4.59, and there is conflicting information regarding the Veteran's grip strength. A new examination is needed to assess current severity.,There are conflicting findings from previous examinations regarding the nature of the Veteran's hemorrhoids. A new VA examination is needed to reconcile these findings.,The addendum opinion is required to determine whether the Veteran's gout is caused or aggravated by his hypertension, and to address any relationship between his service-connected hypertension and his left eye disorder.,There are conflicting findings from previous examinations regarding the nature of the Veteran's left eye disorder. A new VA examination is needed to reconcile these findings.
- Claimed conditions
- panic disorder without agoraphobia with recurrent major depression, asymptomatic hemorrhoids, gout
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 22, 2022
- Citation
- 22010014
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 22010014.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's gout claim for additional development, including obtaining an adequate VA examination and ensuring all relevant records are obtained. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for gout and bilateral foot conditions due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's representative requested an informal conference, but it did not take place before the April 2021 rating decision was issued.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disorder, gout, multiple painful joints, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
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