The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision can be reached on the merits of the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for arthritic changes of the lumbar spine.
The deciding factor: Further evidence, including treatment records and examination findings, must be obtained to properly evaluate the Veteran's disability.
- Claimed conditions
- arthritic changes of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 20, 2012
- Citation
- 1225302
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 1225302.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for arthritic changes of the lumbar spine was denied in October 1998, but he raised it again on February 2, 2007. The Board found that there was no indication of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the previous denial.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine and right shoulder disorders did not have their onset during any period of active duty service, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) were also denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered a supplemental opinion from Dr. C.L.S. to clarify whether the Veteran's COPD was caused or aggravated by service-connected disability, and if so, whether it contributed to his death.
- Denied
The Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected and the claim for increased rating of thoracic scoliosis was denied.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.