The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his lower back, right ring finger, right knee, and right foot disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran testified that his symptoms have worsened since previous evaluations, indicating a need for updated assessments.
- Claimed conditions
- middorsal spine strain with degenerative disc disease, talonavicular degenerative changes right foot, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, residual injury, right ring finger, post-operative with paresthesias and weakness of the right hand and wrist
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 28, 2021
- Citation
- 21065981
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 21065981.
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 denied an effective date earlier than May 26, 2016, for a separate rating for right knee instability and left knee instability. The claims for higher ratings based on limitation of motion and instability of the knees, separate ratings for meniscus conditions of the knees, and secondary service connection claims were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, was granted. Other claims were denied or remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including knee pain, back pain, and anxiety disorder.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, manifested by limitation of extension.
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