The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome of the left and right lower extremities, as well as for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine with herniated nucleus pulposus. The issues are also inextricably intertwined with the claim for TDIU prior to August 11, 2009.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional development is needed due to previous remand directives not being substantially complied with and because of the need to address ankylosis of the spine after use or repetitive use.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the lumbosacral spine with herniated nucleus pulposus, Intervertebral disc syndrome of the left lower extremity, Intervertebral disc syndrome of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19125745
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 claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome and intervertebral disc syndrome of the right lower extremity were denied as there was no evidence to support a higher rating based on the current manifestations of these conditions.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.