The claim for service connection is reopened, but the issues of low back disability, depression, and bilateral foot condition are remanded due to lack of VA treatment records and need for additional examination.
The deciding factor: New evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims (a current disability related to service). However, further development is needed as there are gaps in the record regarding the Veteran's complaints and medical history.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disability (including arthritis), acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression), bilateral foot condition (including flat feet and heel spur)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 5, 2022
- Citation
- 22026559
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 22026559.
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 claims for lung cancer, depression, and right shoulder condition were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for any of these conditions.,No VA examination was conducted in this case.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression, sleep apnea and bilateral knee disabilities have been reopened. The Board finds that more development is necessary prior to final adjudication of these claims.,The Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's stomach disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) are all found to be related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for tinnitus and service connection for hearing loss have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches has been granted, but his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) secondary to headaches has been denied.
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