The veteran's claims for an initial rating for his right thumb disability and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine are being remanded due to new evidence suggesting a possible inservice injury. The RO is instructed to obtain relevant medical records from Seymour Johnson AFB or Fort Lee, schedule VA examinations, and readjudicate the claims.
The deciding factor: The veteran testified about an inservice fall that may have caused his current back disability, which needs further investigation.
- Claimed conditions
- right thumb fracture residuals with degenerative arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 29, 2008
- Citation
- 0833325
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0833325.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's right ear hearing loss, cervical strain, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine have been granted service connection. The claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities, as well as the relationship between his current conditions and military service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine.
- Denied
The Veteran's employment during the appeal period was full-time and his income exceeded the poverty threshold, making him unable to establish marginal employment. Therefore, he is not entitled to a TDIU.
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