The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease are being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration under the new rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The case must be remanded due to the need to review and apply the revised general rating formula for diseases and injuries of the spine, which became effective September 26, 2003.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 24, 2004
- Citation
- 0407617
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 0407617.
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 a 20 percent rating for the lumbar spine disorder from May 29, 2019, and denied special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for lumbar spine disability, prolapse of rectum, and hemorrhoids for additional development before a decision can be made.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the lumbar spine disorder and to address the need for aid and attendance.
- Partly granted
The Board granted ratings for several knee and back conditions, including a 10 percent rating for left knee instability from June 12, 2006, to May 31, 2023, and a 20 percent rating for right sciatic radiculopathy and left sciatic radiculopathy starting January 28, 2025.
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