The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.,Specifically, the Veteran needs a right knee examination to determine if his current rating is accurate, an examination for his ingrown toenail condition to assess functional impairment during infection or post-surgical intervention, and a VA examination for his left toe condition. Additionally, he requires a heart and chest pain examination.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions and whether they are related to service.,Specifically, the Veteran needs a right knee examination to determine if his current rating is accurate, an examination for his ingrown toenail condition to assess functional impairment during infection or post-surgical intervention, and a VA examination for his left toe condition. Additionally, he requires a heart and chest pain examination.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Chondromalacia Patella, Recurrent Ingrown Toenail of the Right Big Toe with Bacterial Paronychia, Left Knee Disability (claimed as joint pains), Left Big Toe Condition (ingrown toenail with bacterial paronychia), Abnormal Heart Condition, Chest Pain
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 28, 2023
- Citation
- 23062842
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 23062842.
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's right knee disability is granted an increased rating of 60 percent, effective November 3, 2020. The earlier effective date for the 60 percent rating and the grant of service connection for right knee scars are also granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for an unspecified anxiety disorder was denied, and the case is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for right knee chondromalacia patella and 10 percent for right knee degenerative joint disease are also remanded due to a duty to assist error.,Additional VA medical records related to the Veteran's knees need to be obtained, and a retrospective addendum opinion is required.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hypertension, chest pain, heart condition, bilateral hip strain, and left shoulder disability. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for allergies, sinusitis, chest pain, and a neck disability as the evidence did not support the presence of these conditions during or related to active service.
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