The Veteran's service-connected back, right ankle, right bicep, and left knee scars disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity. The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder condition, left elbow condition, and right elbow condition are also being remanded for VA medical opinions.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected back, right ankle, right bicep, and left knee scars disabilities may have worsened since the last VA examination in 2016. Additionally, there is evidence of events in service related to the Veteran's shoulders and elbows which warrant further medical opinions.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis lumbar spine, Right ankle osteoarthritis, Torn right bicep muscle (group V), Left knee scars, Left shoulder condition, Left elbow condition, Right elbow condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 13, 2023
- Citation
- 23002521
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 23002521.
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 decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine condition and left shoulder condition due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as VA failed to provide the Veteran with VA examinations and medical opinions to assess the nature and etiology of his conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee instability is granted, with a 30 percent rating. The claims for increased ratings for right knee osteoarthritis (flexion) and left hip strain, osteoarthritis and bursitis based on painful motion are denied. The claim for an increased rating for right ankle osteoarthritis is also denied.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's left knee scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under any applicable VA rating criteria, and thus denied his claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and neck conditions are not related to her active duty service, but has remanded for further examination regarding her bilateral shoulder conditions, knee conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, and GERD.
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