The Board has determined that there are outstanding private treatment records and the Veteran's request for a hearing. Additionally, the claims of service connection for bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hip pain, and bilateral knee conditions require additional medical opinions due to conflicting or insufficient evidence in the record. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD also requires further examination.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that there are outstanding private treatment records which need to be obtained before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims. Additionally, the claims of service connection for bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hip pain, and bilateral knee conditions require additional medical opinions due to conflicting or insufficient evidence in the record.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of right upper extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, Bilateral tinnitus, Right hip pain, Left hip pain, Right knee condition, Left knee condition, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 16, 2023
- Citation
- 23010006
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 23010006.
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 Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition as secondary to his service-connected right ankle condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 29, 2020. Effective from that date, the Veteran is granted TDIU and SMC housebound.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.