The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for her service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The case is remanded to obtain updated examinations and assessments of her current disability levels.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support the assignment of a compensable rating for any of the Veteran's service-connected conditions as there are no findings indicating that these disabilities meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- scar, residual of left ankle surgery, radiculopathy, left lower extremity, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine, left Achilles tendinitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 13, 2023
- Citation
- 23002524
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 23002524.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, lower back condition, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to service.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all appeal issues as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision being made.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition, including tendonitis and ACJ sprain, is granted as service-connected based on in-service onset and continuity of symptoms since service.,The Veteran's right knee condition, including meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis, is granted as service-connected due to in-service onset and continuity of symptoms since service.,The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear is granted as service-connected due to in-service onset and secondary to the right knee condition.,The Veteran's left Achilles tendinitis is granted as service-connected based on in-service onset.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine and secondary service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active-duty service.
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