The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome and right lower extremity intervertebral disc syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's disabilities, as the last VA examination was conducted over five years ago.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, intervertebral disc syndrome of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 23, 2018
- Citation
- 18105012
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 18105012.
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.
- Granted
The Board has restored the 10% ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome of the left and right lower extremities, effective April 1, 2014.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issues of reducing disability ratings for service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome, upper extremity radiculopathy, and cervical spine with intervertebral disc syndrome. The issue of service connection for PTSD is also being remanded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she requested a withdrawal of her appeal.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome of the left and right lower extremities have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.
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