The Board has remanded both issues due to the need for additional medical examination and development of evidence.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not comply with the requirements set forth in Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016) and Sharp v. Shulkin, 29 Vet. App. 26 (2017).
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative arthritis with anterolisthesis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 23, 2018
- Citation
- 18104955
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 18104955.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and pain medications, as well as an addendum opinion from VA's Director of Compensation and Pension Service addressing the Veteran's work history and education.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Veteran is granted a higher rating of 20 percent for the left lower extremity radiculopathy as of October 24, 2018.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar disability and its impact on his ability to work. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated in conjunction with the initial rating claim.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar degenerative arthritis with anterolisthesis was denied prior to April 18, 2013. From that date forward, the claim was also denied.
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