The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected lumbar spine and left thumb disabilities are being remanded due to deficiencies in the prior VA examinations. Additional examination is needed to assess the severity of these conditions, including range of motion, flare-ups, and functional loss.
The deciding factor: The previous VA examinations did not provide sufficient information regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability for the period from November 1, 2011, to November 30, 2016, and failed to address her reports of bowel and bladder issues. The left thumb examination was also deficient in assessing the severity of her condition during a potential flare-up.
- Claimed conditions
- status post laminectomy, discectomy, foraminectomy of L4-L5, left thumb strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 2, 2022
- Citation
- 22005516
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 22005516.
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 has denied service connection for a left thumb strain and remanded the issue of service connection for a right hand or finger disability due to lack of nexus between current symptoms and active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for thoracolumbar strain, right knee strain, left knee strain, left thumb strain, left index finger strain, left middle finger strain, left ring finger strain, left little finger strain, right thumb strain, right index finger strain, right middle finger strain, and right ring finger strain as they are related to service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for right and left thumb strain as there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year following discharge, and the current conditions were not shown to be related to service.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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