The Veteran seeks service connection for a left leg disability, which he asserts had its onset in service. He was also seeking an initial compensable rating for his left elbow arthritis and an initial compensable rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability.,An additional VA examination is necessary to clarify the specific nature of any current disabilities and to provide opinions regarding their relationship to service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims require further clarification due to inconsistencies in medical records, lack of comprehensive examinations, and need for more detailed assessments of his symptoms and diagnoses.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Leg Disability, Left Elbow Arthritis, Thoracolumbar Spine Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 1, 2016
- Citation
- 1645106
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 1645106.
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 reduction from a 50 to 30 percent rating for PTSD effective April 27, 2021 was not proper; the 50 percent rating is restored.,Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) with an effective date of November 14, 2020, is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his left leg disability is withdrawn.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. Service connection is granted for PTSD, OSA, bilateral hearing loss, neck disability, right shoulder disability, right middle finger disability, right ankle disability, and left leg disability.,The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his service or service-connected conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as there is no prior unadjudicated claim found in the record. The issue of TDIU was not raised until after a final rating decision on service connection for PTSD and TBI.
- Granted
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a sleep disorder is dismissed. An initial evaluation of 70 percent, but no higher, is granted for major depressive disorder. Service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral leg disabilities remains remanded.
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