The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a pre-decisional error in not having a medical opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities result in loss of use of one or both feet, or ankylosis of one or both knees or hips. The Board finds the claim should be reconsidered with further examination and opinion.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance due to loss of use of hands, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or vision impairment. However, there is evidence suggesting his disabilities may result in loss of use of feet or ankylosis of knees/hips.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative disc disease, rhabdomyolysis - left lower extremity (sciatic and femoral nerves), rhabdomyolysis - right lower extremity (sciatic and femoral nerves), right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee strain, vertigo, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 2, 2024
- Citation
- A24043272
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 A24043272.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show that he had been diagnosed and manifested to at least a 10 percent disability rating on or prior to May 8, 2001.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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