The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain with spondylolysis and grade spondylolisthesis at L5-S1, and right hip degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of these disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA contract examination reports did not adequately consider the Veteran's reports of pain and painful motion, necessitating a new examination to properly evaluate his service-connected lumbar spine and right hip disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with spondylolysis, grade spondylolisthesis at L5-S1, right hip degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 19, 2023
- Citation
- 23039772
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 23039772.
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 Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for various degenerative arthritis conditions of the Veteran's lumbar spine, hips, knees, and elbows. These conditions are presumed to have onset within one year of discharge from active service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates have been denied.,Effective date determinations were not provided as the decisions are in denial.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hip degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions were incurred in service due to wear and tear from military activities.
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