The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection and rating of disabilities. The Veteran's initial claim for lumbar spine disability was granted, but a higher rating is denied. Right shoulder disability also remains at 20 percent. Residual scars associated with post-spinal fusion have been rated as 10 percent prior to December 24, 2019 and the issue of increased rating remains on appeal.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating due to lack of limitation in flexion or ankylosis. Right shoulder disability also does not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating based on range of motion findings and no IVDS.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 17, 2021
- Citation
- 21015589
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 21015589.
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 Veteran's right shoulder disability and migraines/chronic headaches are remanded for additional development due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of her conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, abdominal hernia, GERD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's period of active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for residuals of gallbladder removal and remanded the other claims due to insufficient evidence.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
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