The Board has restored the Veteran's 60 percent disability rating for lumbar disc disease and reinstated his SMC at the housebound rate. However, the issue of higher schedular ratings for lumbar disc disease remains pending as additional development is required to obtain relevant VA treatment records.
The deciding factor: The reduction in the rating for the Veteran's lumbar disc disease from 60 to 20 percent was improper due to a lack of evidence demonstrating sustained improvement under ordinary conditions of life and work. The Board also found that discontinuance of SMC at the housebound rate based on improved lumbar disc disease was not proper.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20030030
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 20030030.
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: Granted
The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted with an effective date of May 3, 2016. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities including his CFS and adjustment disorder.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for genital herpes is denied as the highest schedular rating of 60% has been achieved. The claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is also denied due to the presence of other service-connected conditions and the fact that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a combined 100% disability rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder associated with lumbar disc disease was granted on March 24, 2021. The Board found that the effective date should be set to this date as there is no legal link between the previous claim and the new claim.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, lumbar disc disease, and cervical spine disability based on evidence supporting an in-service onset of symptoms that have continued to the present.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.