The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for primary insomnia and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, as well as his claim for a TDIU based on these conditions, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been adequately assessed in previous evaluations, necessitating new examinations to determine their current state.
- Claimed conditions
- primary insomnia, degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19174210
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 19174210.
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: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 2, 2017, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine. The evidence did not establish a nexus between current hearing loss or DJD of the lumbar spine and service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion and to obtain any outstanding treatment records from Dr. Levi Kirkland.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's primary insomnia is productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for primary insomnia and a compensable rating for chronic mixed headache syndrome due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations without good cause.
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