The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lower back, as secondary to her service-connected left knee disability. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for further action.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has raised both direct and secondary theories of entitlement to service connection for her low back disorder. A remand is necessary to address the secondary theory of entitlement and to obtain a VA examination to assess the relationship between her current low back disability and her service-connected left knee disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lower back
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 6, 2012
- Citation
- 1227037
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 1227037.
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.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lower back and obstructive sleep apnea due to secondary service-connected generalized anxiety disorder. The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss was also remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lower back, finding that her symptoms have been continuous since service separation and meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection due to arthritis. The rating assigned and effective date are not specified.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% chance the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lower back is related to his in-service low back pain and injury, thus granting service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evidentiary development, including additional Compensation and Pension examinations to assess the severity of his right knee and left knee disabilities.
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