The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative joint and disc disease, lumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for additional examination and records review.
The deciding factor: The decision was remanded because of the need for an updated VA examination and retrieval of missing private treatment records.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint and disc disease, lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 26, 2018
- Citation
- 18114250
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 18114250.
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 lumbar spine disability from May 4, 2007 to May 16, 2012 was denied. A 40 percent rating has been granted effective August 16, 2023.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and to determine if they are related to his military service. The case is being remanded for these purposes.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint and disc disease, lumbar spine, was denied for increased ratings in excess of 40 percent from May 4, 2007 to May 16, 2012, and in excess of 20 percent from May 17, 2012.
- Granted
The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD, which renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.