The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including evaluations for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, thoracic strain, right elbow epicondylitis, degenerative joint disease of the knees, and duodenal ulcer. The Veteran is also being asked to provide VA treatment records since December 2015 and undergo examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional evidence was needed for several issues due to incomplete or outdated evaluations, and ordered further examination and record review.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, thoracic strain, right elbow epicondylitis with decreased right-hand grip, degenerative joint disease, left knee, degenerative joint disease, right knee, duodenal ulcer, pseudofolliculitis barbae
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20002559
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.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae as the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 60 percent from January 27, 2016 to July 7, 2022 for the Veteran's duodenal ulcer, duodenitis, gastritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's claimed conditions are due to any incident of his period of active service.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, left foot swelling/pain, a left ankle condition, and tinnitus.
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