The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and bilateral foot disabilities, as well as the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is required to obtain outstanding private treatment records and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.
The deciding factor: The claims are remanded because the AOJ needs to obtain outstanding private treatment records and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his current disability levels.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, Left foot plantar fasciitis, Right calcaneal heel spur
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18129406
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 18129406.
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 level of SMC was denied as the Board found that he is already in receipt of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure. A second award of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance was not warranted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for additional VA examinations to properly evaluate the current severity of her disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and information from the Veteran's former federal employers.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal to restore a separate 20% evaluation for left foot plantar fasciitis, finding that there was clear and unmistakable error in the original award of service connection.
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