The Veteran's service-connected lumbar, cervical, and right shoulder DJD, as well as lichen simplex chronicus, are being remanded for further evaluation due to increased symptom severity reported during his December 2020 hearing.
The deciding factor: The Veteran testified that the severity of his symptoms had increased since previous VA examinations.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative joint disease (DJD), cervical DJD, right shoulder DJD, lichen simplex chronicus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21016017
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 21016017.
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 remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinion and failure to consider the Veteran's in-service chemical exposure. The Veteran's skin conditions are related to service, but a TERA opinion is needed.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted an increased rating of 40 percent for lumbar degenerative joint disease but remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease and right shoulder DJD, but denied service connection for a compensable rating for scar, right bunionectomy, bilateral hearing loss (BHL), and right radiculopathy.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected back disability was granted a 40 percent evaluation, but no higher, for the entire period on appeal.
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