The Board has remanded the increased rating claims for thoracolumbar strain and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is warranted.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations show that the Veteran experiences painful limitation of motion with forward flexion to 45 degrees, and without favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar strain, Disc bulging
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19189055
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19189055.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted an increased disability rating of 40 percent for thoracolumbar strain, restored the 50 percent disability rating for bilateral pes planus, and restored basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes. The Board also granted an initial 20 percent rating for thoracolumbar strain effective from February 8, 2010.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, right middle finger injury, vaginal disorder, hemorrhoids, and thoracolumbar strain.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a TDIU and dismissed the proposal to combine service connection for patellofemoral syndrome, right knee limitation of extension with residuals of right knee total arthroplasty.
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