The Veteran's lumbar facet arthropathy was rated at 10 percent prior to May 19, 2016. The Board found that the evidence supported a 20 percent rating due to flare-ups of pain and functional impairment. However, the TDIU claim is remanded as it has not been previously considered by the AOJ.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 19, 2016, but the Board found that his subjective reports of flare-ups warranted a higher rating. The TDIU claim is remanded as it has not been previously considered by the AOJ.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar facet arthropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19115185
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 19115185.
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.
- Partly granted
The claim for service connection for lumbar facet arthropathy can be readjudicated due to new evidence, but the claim for degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar facet arthropathy, and low back pain is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim for a low back disorder, finding that there are insufficient opinions regarding direct service connection and secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran's lay statements about his symptoms during service have been considered.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar facet arthropathy, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected left leg disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back conditions, diagnosed as lumbar facet arthropathy and lumbar spondylosis, were found to have begun in service and continued after separation. The Board granted service connection for these conditions based on continuity of symptomatology.
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