The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.
The deciding factor: The Board found that a new medical opinion was necessary to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hand degenerative arthritis, as the previous opinion was inadequate.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hand degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2023
- Citation
- A23030421
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 A23030421.
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 Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis with headaches, reactive airway disease, right foot hallux rigidus, right foot arthritis, bilateral hand degenerative arthritis, and bilateral shoulder tendonitis and arthritis as these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical back condition, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, bilateral feet degenerative arthritis, and bilateral hand degenerative arthritis due to missing records from his Army Reserve service. The RO is instructed to verify any reserve service with NPRC and Army Reserve Personnel Center, obtain all relevant service treatment records, and seek out any outstanding VA or private treatment records.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected skin condition and bilateral hand degenerative arthritis. The evidence did not show that he required the regular care or assistance of another person at any time during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hand degenerative arthritis and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions began during active duty. Service connection was denied for a bacterial infection claimed as a result of VA treatment.
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