The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and alcohol use disorder) has been reopened. The claims are now granted.,However, the issues of entitlement to initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU), and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance are still pending and require further development.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim was reopened due to new and material evidence received more than one year after the final June 2008 rating decision. The May 2023 Board Hearing testimony and June 2023 private opinion raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.
- Claimed conditions
- back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 1, 2023
- Citation
- 23042007
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23042007.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the July 2012 VA examination for the Veteran's left knee disability, and a new addendum opinion is needed.
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