The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for ankylosing spondylitis after December 17, 2013 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for ankylosing spondylitis prior to December 17, 2013 is remanded. The Board acknowledges the Veteran’s lay reports of symptoms and noted functional loss but finds that they do not result in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded as there are no schedular criteria met.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence does not support a higher rating than 50 percent for ankylosing spondylitis after December 17, 2013 due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis.,There is no unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine prior to December 17, 2013 as determined by a retrospective medical evaluation. The Veteran's lay reports and functional loss do not meet the criteria for unfavorable ankylosis.,The Veteran does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU due to only one service-connected disability rated at 50 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- ankylosing spondylitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19175961
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,341 · Granted: 33% (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 19175961.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, including retrolisthesis of L3 over L4 and ankylosing spondylitis (claimed as low back condition) has been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's daughter seeks recognition as his child for purposes of entitlement to DIC benefits due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to the age of 18. The appellant submitted medical records and statements describing her disability, but VA did not provide an extension to obtain additional private treatment records. The Board finds this a procedural error and remands the case.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis affecting his lumbar spine is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and treatment records.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar sprain with ankylosing spondylitis, cervical spine strain, and tension headaches have rendered her unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation consistent with her education and work history prior to August 30, 2022.
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