The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, which he claims is secondary to his sarcoidosis. The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination.
The deciding factor: The claim involves a determination on whether the Veteran's current back condition(s) are related to active duty or are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected sarcoidosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Osteoarthritis, Spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 26, 2015
- Citation
- 1503505
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 1503505.
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 right knee strain with osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which was granted for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis is remanded due to inadequate examination report.
- Granted
The reduction of the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disability ratings from 40% to 20% was improper, and the prior ratings are restored.
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