The Veteran's spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional private treatment records and schedule a VA examination due to concerns about his ankylosing spondylitis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran reported worsening symptoms that may indicate a change in his condition, necessitating further evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease, thoracic and lumbar spine with IVDS, Ankylosing spondylitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20034600
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 20034600.
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: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for PTSD, TDIU and DEA benefits was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent for PTSD with TBI.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial disability rating for his service-connected back disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and addendum medical opinion addressing the severity of his condition throughout the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for ankylosing spondylitis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and right elbow chronic bursitis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's low back disability, including SI joint dysfunction and mild arthritic changes in the thoracic spine, ankylosing spondylitis, and degenerative arthritis of the spine, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding its onset during service.
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.