The Veteran's costochondritis is rated as noncompensable, with no functional impairment noted on examination. The lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or other disabling symptoms.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been remanded for further evaluation.
The deciding factor: The most recent VA examination found no indication of ankylosis, and the examiner did not estimate additional functional loss on repetitive movement or flare-ups.
- Claimed conditions
- Costochondritis, Lumbar spine disability, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Cervical spine disability, Left upper extremity radiculopathy, Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Sinusitis, Right knee disability, Liver disability
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 17, 2022
- Citation
- 22015487
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 22015487.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim for bilateral knee disabilities and his right and left knee scars have been granted. He is now rated at a combined 60% disability rating from June 1, 2018 based on bilateral factors for his bilateral knee disabilities.
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