The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a back condition, entitlement to TDIU prior to May 16, 2016, and entitlement to DEA benefits and SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound. The remand is due to inadequate examination findings and the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the March 2016 VA examination was inadequate because it did not adequately address the Veteran’s flare-ups, functional loss, and functioning after repeated use over time. Therefore, a remand for an additional examination is required.
- Claimed conditions
- intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 3, 2020
- Citation
- 20037896
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 20037896.
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: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating issues due to the Veteran's death.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 28, 2010, to August 26, 2016. The Board granted the TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, but denied an increased rating for the unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of January 3, 2018. His Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility is also granted from the same date.
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