The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar spine DJD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on the need for further medical evaluation to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine DJD and its impact on his employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 15, 2019
- Citation
- 19178402
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 Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher rating for DJD of the right hip with limitation of rotation and adduction, and higher ratings for DJD of the thoracolumbar spine.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete information regarding her reported flare-ups. The VA will obtain updated treatment records, schedule a new examination, and then readjudicate the claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteopenia was denied. The Board found that osteopenia alone is not a disability warranting VA compensation benefits and there was no underlying disease or injury to which the osteopenia may be related. The claims for increased ratings were remanded due to incomplete examination reports.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection of cervical spine DDD and increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine DDD and DJD, as well as sciatic radiculopathy in the lower extremities, were denied. The Veteran was granted a higher rating (40%) for his thoracolumbar spine disability.
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.