The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40% and his left and right ankle disabilities are both rated at 10%. The claims for increased ratings remain pending as the AOJ has remanded them.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a higher rating based on the current manifestations of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, which is currently rated at 40% under Diagnostic Code 5243. For his left and right ankle disabilities, the evidence does not support a higher rating as they are both currently rated at 10%. The AOJ has remanded these claims for further development.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Osteoarthritis of the Lumbar Spine, Left Ankle Degenerative Osteoarthritis, Right Ankle Degenerative Osteoarthritis, Left Knee Osteoarthritis, Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy Affecting the Sciatic Nerve, Sciatic Radiculopathy Pain and Paresthesia of the Left Leg
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 12, 2020
- Citation
- A20016822
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 A20016822.
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 the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his awards of ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis based on limitation of extension. The evidence did not show a compensable limitation of extension prior to February 6, 2025.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the current conditions are not related to service due to lack of evidence of a chronic condition during service or post-service continuity.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, left knee osteoarthritis, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU effective February 23, 2024.
- Granted
The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, left knee osteoarthritis, and residuals of left wrist fracture are granted service connection. The Veteran is awarded a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss but not for the left knee or left wrist conditions.
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