The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of evaluating lumbar DDD and determining a TDIU prior to May 31, 2012. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination to assess his current level of disability and the examiner must provide information regarding pain during range of motion testing, functional loss due to pain, and any potential ankylosis.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's lumbar DDD and determine if he qualifies for a TDIU prior to May 31, 2012. The VA examiner will need to provide detailed information regarding these issues.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20052553
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 20052553.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service.,Service connection for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar DDD has also been denied due to lack of evidence supporting an increase in disability level.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of effective dates and ratings related to lumbar spine strain, Dupuytren's contracture in the left hand with ankylosis, and Dupuytren's contracture in the right hand with osteoarthritis. The Board dismissed these appeals.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected back disability was denied an increased rating, with a final rating of 40% since May 2, 2018.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection for benign prostate hypertrophy is granted. However, the Veteran's increased rating claim for lumbar degenerative disc disease is denied.
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