The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are remanded due to outstanding treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran is also scheduled for examinations closer to his home or via telehealth.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there has been substantial compliance issues with previous remand directives, necessitating another round of remands to address outstanding records and obtain appropriate medical opinions.
- Claimed conditions
- foot disability (claimed as foot pain and surgery), degenerative joint disease, left knee, degenerative joint disease, right knee, major depressive disorder, persistent with anxious distress, and opioid use disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 17, 2023
- Citation
- 23045679
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 23045679.
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 Veteran is requesting a revision of the April 2008 rating decision, which denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The claim will be remanded to review this request.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for left knee instability is denied. The case is remanded for a determination on the rating claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there are errors in the decision-making process related to obtaining and considering certain medical records, conducting appropriate examinations, and providing a comprehensive assessment of the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for these issues.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for eligibility to the direct payment of fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a September 2023 Rating Decision was dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.
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.