The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine DDD with IVDS is remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the Board’s December 2017 remand and incomplete VA examination.
The deciding factor: The remand is required because there has not been substantial compliance with the directives in the Board’s previous decision, specifically regarding the February 2018 VA examination which did not comply with the requirements set forth in Sharp v. Shulkin (2017).
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20028021
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 20028021.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of evaluating lumbar DDD with IVDS and TDIU. The Veteran will need to undergo a new medical examination to provide range of motion measurements, address pain during use, and assess functional impairment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's lumbar DDD with IVDS and left leg radiculopathy are both remanded for further evaluation due to possible worsening of symptoms.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated examinations, clarification of instability in his right knee, and obtaining VA treatment records.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that additional development is needed regarding the remaining issues on appeal, including new VA examinations for the service-connected lumbar DDD with IVDS. The effective date of TDIU was changed to November 8, 2012.
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