The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is granted a 50 percent rating, but no higher. The ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and left lower extremity (LLE) sciatica are remanded due to insufficient evidence.
The deciding factor: The current symptomatology does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than 50 percent for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, but further examination is needed to determine if there are any flare-ups of symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, Left lower extremity (LLE) sciatica
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 6, 2022
- Citation
- 22026948
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 22026948.
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 remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, and found that service connection is granted for major depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor related disorders.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed as a matter of law due to a full grant of benefits. The appeals for left knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, is related to her military service. As a result, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is granted an increased rating to 70 percent, but no higher. The decision does not address service connection theory or exposure basis.
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