The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating due to normal range of motion. The left knee disability was initially rated noncompensable but later assigned a 10 percent rating. Both conditions are currently remanded for further development.,A left inguinal hernia has been remanded for evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine and left knee disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria, as they did not demonstrate the required range of motion or associated symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Strain (Lumbar Spine Disability), Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome of the Left Knee (Left Knee Disability), Left Inguinal Hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 7, 2023
- Citation
- 23043979
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 23043979.
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 Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as of May 1, 2018.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's ear infections are not service-connected, but a 10 percent rating is granted for the left inguinal hernia prior to August 14, 2019. From that date, no compensable rating is assigned.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral wrist disorder, and other service-connected conditions have been granted initial disability ratings. The TDIU claim for the period prior to February 23, 2018, has also been granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected right and left inguinal hernias, lumbosacral strain with thoracic DDD, and migraines have been remanded due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).
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