The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to February 13, 2014 and at 20 percent from February 13, 2014 to May 4, 2015. Since May 5, 2015, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent and his right knee and left knee disabilities are both rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, as there is no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine"}, {"condition_name":"Impingement Syndrome with Partial Rotator Cuff Tear, Tendinitis, and Arthritis of the Left Shoulder"}, {"condition_name":"Left Knee Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome"}, {"condition_name":"Right Knee Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20006281
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 Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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