The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the bilateral ankles and low back muscle spasm have been rated based on their current severity. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims.,For the period prior to January 8, 2013, the Veteran’s degenerative joint disease of the right and left ankles was characterized by moderate limitation of motion. Since January 8, 2013, it has been characterized by marked limitation of motion. The low back muscle spasm is characterized by limited range of motion, painful motion, and regular use of assistive devices.
The deciding factor: The appeal involves remanded service connection claims which require further development to determine the etiology of these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Bilateral Ankles, Low Back Muscle Spasm
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19180286
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
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.