The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings for service-connected low back and left knee disabilities due to new examinations being needed, as well as additional development of records. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the other claims.
The deciding factor: New VA examinations are required to assess current disability levels, and updated medical records need to be obtained for consideration.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic low back pain, spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine, Degenerative joint disease, flexion of the left knee, Degenerative joint disease, extension of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 10, 2018
- Citation
- 1801646
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 1801646.
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 appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, and spinal fusion of the lumbar spine was denied as the Veteran failed to attend a necessary VA examination without good cause shown.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review this issue.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Additional examinations will be performed, and the Veteran will be provided with updated VCAA notice.
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