The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his postoperative hernia repair scar and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The case is being remanded to consider additional evidence added since the January 2023 Supplemental Statement of the Case.
The deciding factor: Additional relevant medical records have been submitted that were not considered in the previous decision, necessitating further review and consideration.
- Claimed conditions
- Postoperative right inguinal hernia repair scar, Lumbar spine degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 19, 2023
- Citation
- 23051542
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 23051542.
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 is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the O and r-1 rates due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, bilateral knee conditions, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The need for aid and attendance is based on these service-connected conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the assignment of separate 20 percent ratings for right and left knee instability, but denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings for PTSD and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's requests for extensions of time to file Board Appeal requests were denied, and the attempted appeals were dismissed.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for the lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to April 19, 2023, but dismissed the appeal for a higher rating from that date. The decision also denied special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound.
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