The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The Veteran should be afforded additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed left shoulder, left ankle, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, and hemorrhoid disabilities.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability does not warrant an increased evaluation under any criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent based on limitation of motion. The Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, and the Veteran should be afforded additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed left shoulder, left ankle, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, and hemorrhoid disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Lumbar Spine Disc Disease","additional_notes":"Left shoulder impingement syndrome, left ankle disability, right shoulder impingement syndrome, left knee patellofemoral dysfunction, right knee patellofemoral dysfunction, hemorrhoids"}
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19106777
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
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.