The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: The decision was not explicitly stated but implied that it needed further development as issues were intertwined and additional evidence was required.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 28, 2010
- Citation
- 1004310
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1004310.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for TDIU, left upper extremity neuropathy, and right shoulder rotator cuff strain has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for left upper extremity neuropathy and right shoulder rotator cuff strain have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right shoulder rotator cuff strain has been dismissed.,A 20 percent rating is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy.,A 20 percent rating is granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy.,The 40 percent rating for chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease was reduced to 20 percent, and the reduction has been restored.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial 40 percent rating for chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease throughout the period on appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder, atypical headaches with features of migraines, chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher evaluation for his service-connected low back disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran needs new VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.
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