The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for SMC due to his service-connected disabilities, and it is unclear if he qualifies for higher levels of SMC based on his current conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher levels of SMC as they are not severe enough to qualify under the applicable provisions in 38 U.S.C. § 1114.
- Claimed conditions
- coronary artery disease (CAD), loss of use of bilateral lower extremities, major depressive disorder, lumbar spine disc disease and spondylosis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), pes planus, bilateral, left knee lateral instability, right knee lateral instability, hypertension, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee meniscal disability, post-surgical residuals of right knee meniscectomy, right and left knee limitation of flexion, right and left knee limited extension, metatarsalgia, bilateral, bilateral hypertensive retinopathy, left knee post-surgery scar, bilateral hallux valgus, left knee scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 1, 2022
- Citation
- 22061141
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 22061141.
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 claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.
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