The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of her service-connected low back disability is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.
The deciding factor: The previous VA examination report did not fully satisfy the requirements of Correia v. McDonald (2016) and 38 C.F.R. § 4.59, which requires joint testing for pain on both active and passive motion in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- L5-S1 spondylolysis, traumatic arthritis lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 23, 2018
- Citation
- 18120380
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 18120380.
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 found that the Veteran's L5-S1 spondylolysis and lumbar spine disc disease are related to his active service, granting his claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of his claim. He is also entitled to separate compensable ratings for numbness in both lower extremities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the veteran's low back disability, which included L5-S1 spondylolysis and L4-5 degenerative disc disease, did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 26, 2003. The evidence showed no more than slight limitation of motion with subjective complaints of pain.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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