The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded to allow for additional development, including a VA orthopedic examination.
The deciding factor: The Board instructed the RO to arrange for a VA orthopedic examination to determine the current severity of the veteran's lumbar spine disorder. The examiner was to provide an opinion regarding whether the April 1998 VA examination findings represented a chronic increase or temporary exacerbation of symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 13, 2006
- Citation
- 0620353
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,699 · Granted: 17% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0620353.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
For the period prior to October 29, 2021, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on housebound status is denied.,For the entire appeal period, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) based on need of regular aid and attendance is granted.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's pain in his back after carrying a rucksack during service is related to his current condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded all issues to the VA for further action. The Veteran's claims are not granted or denied at this time.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded all issues to correct an error in providing the veteran with notice of his right to a pre-decisional hearing.
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