The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation higher than 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar thoracic spine is being remanded due to incomplete records from Mid-America Physical Therapy and Select Physical Therapy with James Heeter, Physical Therapist. Additional development including obtaining treatment records will be conducted.
The deciding factor: The claim requires additional evidence in the form of medical records which have not been obtained yet.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 13, 2012
- Citation
- 1220642
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 1220642.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Whole decision: Denied
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- Whole decision: Granted
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