The Veteran's left elbow degenerative joint disease is granted an initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher. The issue of service connection for grinding of the teeth has been remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran’s left elbow DJD met the criteria for a 10% rating throughout the appeal period due to painful extension. However, the extension was not limited to less than 75 degrees, which is required for a higher rating. The grinding of the teeth issue has been remanded as the VA examiner did not address the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset and continuity of his symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- left elbow degenerative joint disease, grinding of the teeth
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20036894
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20036894.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for headaches, painful surgical scar, left chest, hypertension, left elbow degenerative joint disease, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome due to incomplete VA treatment records.,No effective date earlier than specified dates was granted as there is no probative evidence showing the conditions had their onset during service or are otherwise related to service.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The appeal for service connection for left elbow degenerative joint disease was dismissed due to improper concurrent elections, while the claims for left thumb pain, right thumb osteoarthritis, and right elbow degenerative joint disease were remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal of a proposed rating reduction for a lumbar disorder is dismissed, and the claim for service connection for dyslipidemia is denied. Several claims for service connection are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist strains and left elbow degenerative joint disease must be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in failing to provide an adequate medical examination and opinion.
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