The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine due to a lack of substantial compliance with the October 2017 remand, need for updated examination, and need to address whether numbness of hands and feet is related to the back disorder.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that there was insufficient compliance with the previous remand instructions and requires an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar condition.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21031386
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 21031386.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is being remanded due to the failure to report for a VA examination. The case will be returned to the RO for further development, including scheduling another VA examination.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for neuralgia at T8 of the left intercostal root and degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was denied because he failed to report for a necessary VA examination.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that his symptoms are related to his active duty service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. Prostate cancer and sleep apnea are now considered due to exposure to herbicides, while degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are all found to be related to service.
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