The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected low back disability and completion of a VA Form 21-8940 (Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability). The TDIU claim is intertwined with the claim for a higher rating for the low back disability.
The deciding factor: The appeal requires additional development to ensure that all relevant evidence has been considered and to address the Veteran's unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including her low back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Mood disorder due to low back pain, with depressive features and pain disorder, Bilateral keratoconus, Fibromyalgia, Myofascial pain syndrome of the cervical spine with mild loss of lordosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 15, 2016
- Citation
- 1628355
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1628355.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased rating and earlier effective date for PTSD have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for a right knee scar secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability status post knee replacement. However, the rating for PTSD remains at 30 percent and needs to be re-adjudicated due to a failure to obtain private mental health treatment records.
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