The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his degenerative disc disease, L4-5 and L5-S1, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the range of motion in a seated position.
The deciding factor: The examiner was unable to test the Veteran's range of motion due to his inability to stand, but requested that the Veteran lean forward while seated to determine how much he can flex.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease, L4-5 and L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 8, 2017
- Citation
- 1720522
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 1720522.
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 claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease, L4-5 and L5-S1, was denied. The Board also found that the criteria for TDIU were met effective September 25, 2015, and SMC at the housebound rate is granted from this date.
- Granted
The VA has determined that the appellant's degenerative disc disease, L4-5 and L5-S1, warrants a rating of 40 percent since it causes significant functional impairment due to pain and weakness.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of service-connected degenerative disc disease, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral wrist and hand disability (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome) were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the lumbar spine condition or establish service connection for the claimed disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board found new and material evidence to have been submitted, but the claim remains undecided as it is unclear if the current back disability is related to service or a service-connected condition.
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