The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected back disability, including any instability, painful motion, functional loss due to pain, weakness, excess fatigability, and additional disability during flare-ups. The examiner should also comment on whether muscle spasms have resulted in abnormal gait or spinal contour.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's testimony indicates that his symptoms have become more prominent, including longer duration and earlier onset of back pain, which necessitates a new examination to assess the current severity of his disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 30, 2014
- Citation
- 1429390
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 1429390.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 40 percent for major depressive disorder is denied. The claim for TDIU is granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine and spondylolisthesis due to a spinal fusion postoperative with scar are rated at 40 percent from May 4, 2009, to present (exclusive of the period of a total disability rating from November 16, 2009, to December 31, 2009).
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded for additional examination and rating considerations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of additional evidence and the need for a new VA examination.
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