The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine injury with degenerative joint disease and S1 radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.
The deciding factor: The most recent VA examinations were conducted in December 2013, and updated treatment records have not been associated with the claims file. A remand is necessary to schedule a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine and radiculopathy symptoms and to obtain and associate with the electronic claims file updated treatment records.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine injury with degenerative joint disease, S1 radiculopathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 28, 2018
- Citation
- 18139730
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 18139730.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted a TDIU from February 20, 2003 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issue of a TDIU prior to September 29, 2009 due to insufficient evidence indicating that the Veteran was unemployable by reason of service-connected disabilities. The case is now pending for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbar spine injury with degenerative joint disease is dismissed as the Veteran and his attorney have withdrawn the appeal.
- Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of February 27, 1972 for the grant of service connection for a lumbar spine injury with degenerative joint disease. This decision is based on the Veteran's intent to file a claim prior to his discharge from active duty.
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