The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for cervical spine DDD and lumbar spine DDD is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports regarding the severity of his conditions during flare-ups.
The deciding factor: VA examiners did not adequately address the Veteran’s reported flare-ups, which are critical in determining the extent of functional loss.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbar spine DDD, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical spine DDD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20013581
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 20013581.
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 has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck disability, diagnosed as cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), on a direct basis. The decision is based on credible lay evidence of onset in service and continuity of symptoms.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic and femoral nerves), and back scar status post laminectomy are all granted effective December 22, 2013.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) is also granted effective December 22, 2013.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial ratings of her left shoulder strain and cervical spine disability due to new evidence or further clarification from the AOJ.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left elbow sprain, right elbow enthesophyte, left knee strain and enthesophyte, right knee strain, and right leg radiculopathy but denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
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