The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected lumbosacral spine and left knee disabilities. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations, provide him with proper notice of these examinations, obtain all outstanding records, and ensure that he provides any additional evidence needed.
The deciding factor: The Board found that further examination was warranted due to increased severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine and left knee disabilities since prior examinations in June 2014.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic low back pain, spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine, degenerative joint disease (DJD) with loss of flexion of the left knee, degenerative joint disease (DJD) with loss of extension of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18129077
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 18129077.
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 decided to remand the case due to predecisional duty-to-assist errors, including inadequate medical opinions and missed VA examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is being returned to the RO for further action.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic low back pain was incurred in service and continues to this day, granting her claim for service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's thoracolumbar disorder, including arthritis, thoracic spine scoliosis with degenerative changes, DDD, and chronic low back pain, is granted service connection. Service connection for a cervical strain is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's chronic low back pain, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral foot conditions are granted. The lung condition (including asthma and bronchitis) is remanded for further evaluation.
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