The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbosacral strain due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations that address the current severity of his disabilities, including a discussion of his symptoms and limitations.
The deciding factor: The Board found the previous examination reports insufficient and remanded for additional evaluations that include consideration of the Veteran's reported symptoms and functional limitations.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, Lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20065338
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for additional VA examinations to properly evaluate the current severity of her disabilities.
- Dismissed
The appeal is dismissed due to res judicata, as the issues were previously adjudicated and are now barred from further review.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine but denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Partly granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a 30 percent rating, while the lumbar and lower extremity radiculopathy claims are denied. An earlier effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted, and TDIU based on single service-connected disability is remanded.
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