The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for service-connected hemorrhoids, a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and bilateral lower extremity stress fractures, as well as service connection for cervical strain.
The deciding factor: Remand is necessary due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the disabilities and potential aggravation by the service-connected low back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- hemorrhoids, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine (low back disability), bilateral lower extremity status post stress fractures with knee involvement, cervical strain, to include as secondary to service-connected low back disability
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 31, 2024
- Citation
- 24004773
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities, but remanded claims for service connection for sinusitis, calcified lymph nodes on the lungs, and cervical strain.
- Dismissed
The appeals for restoration of ratings and for a higher disability rating were dismissed as the April 2025 rating decision did not make final decisions on these issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for hemorrhoids due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring an additional direct medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted a 10 percent rating for hemorrhoids, which fully satisfies the Veteran's appeal.
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