The Veteran's left ankle DJD is granted a 20% evaluation, but his lumbar spine DJD and TBI are both remanded for further review.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine DJD or a compensable evaluation for tension headaches due to TBI, as there was no unfavorable ankylosis and conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's comorbid conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Ankle Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), Lumbar Spine DJD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 1, 2024
- Citation
- A24042810
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 A24042810.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA needs to obtain examination reports and determine if the service-connected conditions meet the criteria for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA as secondary to his service-connected right knee strain and left ankle DJD, finding that the weight gain resulting from these conditions is an intermediate step between the service-connected disabilities and the development of OSA.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide him with a new VA examination to assess his bilateral shoulder disorder and lumbar spine disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including obtaining private treatment records.
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