The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development.
The deciding factor: Additional medical evidence, including neurological and orthopedic evaluations, is needed to properly assess the veteran's disability level and determine if he meets the criteria for a higher rating under the revised VA rating criteria for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 28, 2006
- Citation
- 0626759
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 0626759.
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 service connection for several conditions, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, but denied increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and other conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and denied increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity prior to June 7, 2024. The appeal was remanded for other issues.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a higher rating of degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine was dismissed because the veteran already received a 40% rating.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance, as her service-connected conditions do not significantly impact her ability to perform functions of self-care.
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