The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one is needed to determine the Veteran's back disability.
The deciding factor: The February 2016 VA examination was found to be inadequate as it did not provide information about the Veteran’s range of motion during flare-ups or repeated use without any explanation.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 14, 2018
- Citation
- 18157968
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 18157968.
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 low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine, is currently rated at 20 percent and not higher due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion less than 30 degrees or ankylosis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his low back disability and TDIU are remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous Board directives.
- Denied
The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine, was characterized by constant pain and limited range of motion. The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion of less than 30 degrees or ankylosis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected degenerative spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated evidence and determine if a higher rating is warranted, as well as to address his TDIU claim.
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