The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and review of outstanding VA treatment records. The issue of rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine must be reconsidered.
The deciding factor: The case requires additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 20, 2015
- Citation
- 1502610
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 1502610.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture, left knee degenerative arthritis, and degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.
- Denied
The Veteran's degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, nor does it involve ankylosis.
- Granted
The Veteran's evaluations for degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been restored to their previous levels.
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