The Board has determined that the reduction in rating for the Veteran's low back injury from 40 to 10 percent was improper and restored the original 40 percent rating. The issues of increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome, left and right lower extremities, as well as TDIU are remanded due to outstanding records.
The deciding factor: The reduction in rating was not proper based on lack of evidence showing actual improvement in the Veteran's condition under ordinary conditions of life.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Injury, Intervertebral Disc Syndrome, L3-S1 nerve roots, left lower extremity, Intervertebral Disc Syndrome, L3-S1 nerve roots, right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 4, 2018
- Citation
- 18108242
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 18108242.
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 Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records. The VA must obtain relevant treatment records, conduct new examinations, and provide adequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back injury, left ankle injury, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies were granted increased ratings. The Veteran is currently rated at 40 percent for his low back disability and 10 percent each for his left and right lower extremity radiculopathies prior to April 23, 2015.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted since December 20, 2012. The Board finds that the Veteran has been precluded from securing and following substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities.
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