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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19115185
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,911 · Granted: 10% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19115185.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for an updated VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back disorder.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate examinations, including those related to his lumbar spine and right leg sciatica. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, and lumbar facet arthropathy, is related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.
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