The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease were denied. The case is remanded due to the need to develop evidence related to bilateral knee disabilities.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on existing medical records and the Veteran's service connection theory, which was direct. No exposure basis or PACT Act issues were identified.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2019
- Citation
- 19117947
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,987 · Granted: 15% (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 19117947.
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 remanded the claim due to new evidence associated with the file, and the case will be reviewed by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease, L5-S1 disc narrowing, and T12-S1 osteophytes is granted with an effective date of January 1, 2014.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's disability rating for thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease was restored to 40 percent effective from August 1, 2019.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease, degenerative disc disease, and chronic mechanical strain has been denied. The Board also found that a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from January 26, 2011 to October 24, 2012 is warranted.
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