The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbosacral degenerative disc disease (back disability) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.
The deciding factor: The decision was remanded because there were inconsistencies between previous examinations and the need for an updated assessment of the Veteran's condition.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19175869
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 Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the same condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent, prior to March 26, 2025, for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease due to insufficient evidence.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and a TDIU effective April 11, 2023.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case for further development, including an examination to assess incontinence as a complication of the Veteran's disc disease and to obtain private treatment records.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.