The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.
The deciding factor: A new VA examination is required as the Veteran’s symptoms have increased since the last examination.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbar disc bulge, foraminal stenosis, facet arthropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 6, 2018
- Citation
- 18116430
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 18116430.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD, as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the now service-connected lumbar spine condition. The decision is based on a finding of relative equipoise in the evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine discogenic disease status post surgery, spondylosis, and facet arthropathy as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The SMC claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar disc bulge is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that it does not warrant an increased rating in excess of this amount.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's low back disability, neck disability, and left knee condition are all granted as service connected.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy are also granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
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