The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected anxiety disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy (left leg sciatic), and left knee strain.
The deciding factor: There is a need for updated VA examinations to assess current symptomatology and functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Unspecified Anxiety Disorder, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Radiculopathy (Left Leg Sciatic), Left Knee Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 19, 2023
- Citation
- 23056899
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 23056899.
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 right and left knee strains, as well as shin splints, were granted increased ratings. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from October 25, 2017 to March 11, 2024.
- Granted
Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for unspecified anxiety disorder is remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected mental disorders are granted a disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied. The claims for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), obstructive sleep apnea, and left knee strain are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
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