The Board has decided to remand four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities: insomnia disorder, gout, pes planus, and left ankle collateral ligament sprain. The reasons for this are that VA examinations were not conducted in a timely manner and there is conflicting information regarding the current severity of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The most recent VA examinations are more than 7 years old, which may have affected their accuracy in assessing the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The Board therefore finds that new examinations are needed to determine the current severity of his insomnia disorder, gout, pes planus, and left ankle collateral ligament sprain.
- Claimed conditions
- insomnia disorder, gout, pes planus, bilateral, lateral collateral ligament sprain, left ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 10, 2022
- Citation
- 22013580
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 22013580.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for an insomnia disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- 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.
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