The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected thoracolumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, as well as consideration of whether separate evaluations are assignable for the service-connected back disability or on the basis of a TDIU rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's testimony and medical records indicate that his spine disability has worsened since the last examination. Additionally, there is evidence suggesting unemployability due to the service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 18, 2011
- Citation
- 1119163
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 1119163.
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
The Veteran's service-connected back disability, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 18, 2011.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for thoracolumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The Veteran testified that his service-connected disabilities have worsened and prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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