The Veteran's lower back condition was previously rated at 10 percent, but the VA examiner found that there were no incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) symptomatology in the preceding 12 months. The Veteran claims his symptoms have worsened since the last examination and he believes the previous evaluation was misleading. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his lower back condition, including range of motion testing and an assessment of incapacitating episodes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim for a higher rating requires a thorough evaluation of his current disability status, which includes assessing the presence and frequency of IVDS symptomatology requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician in the preceding 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- lower back condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 3, 2018
- Citation
- 18115872
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18115872.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for both a lower back condition and a cervical spine condition, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition, including thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease other than IVDS. The decision finds that the Veteran's current disability is causally related to his military service due to an accident during training in 1963.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, depression, migraine headaches, hypertension, abnormal heartbeat, bilateral eye condition (sensitivity to light), erectile dysfunction, skin disorder, upper spine condition, lower back condition, skeletal arthritis of entire joint system, left hip condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, left foot condition, and right foot condition have all been denied.,The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for any of these conditions due to a lack of current disability or no evidence linking the claimed conditions to his active duty service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's low back condition is proximately due to or the result of his right knee disability.
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