The Veteran's chest pain disorder is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or due to a service-connected condition.,The left knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further examination and opinion. The COPD claim is also remanded.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded, with the Veteran asserting his symptoms are related to in-service stressors. Service connection for COPD is also remanded based on the Veteran's assertion of gas exposure during service.,The left knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further examination and opinion. The COPD claim is also remanded.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence linking chest pain to service, including STRs that show no complaints or treatment related to chest pain.,The VA examiner did not address the Veteran's gait issues caused by his right knee and low back disorders. The left knee disorder may be secondary to these conditions.,PTSD was diagnosed based on in-service stressors, but service connection is remanded as there are no opinions linking current psychiatric symptoms to service or specific stressors.,The COPD claim is remanded due to the Veteran's assertion of gas exposure during service. The examiner must consider this and discuss any relationship between COPD and service.
- Claimed conditions
- chest pain, left knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), COPD
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 12, 2023
- Citation
- 23038594
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 23038594.
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 case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current respiratory disability and active duty service. The VA examiner concluded that the COPD was more likely due to tobacco use rather than asbestos exposure in service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, attributing it to his exposure to Agent Orange during service. COPD is considered a disease associated with such exposure.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
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