The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current level of impairment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran testified about worsening symptoms since his last VA examination in February 2016, necessitating a new evaluation for accurate assessment of his condition.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylolisthesis L5, severe degenerative disc disease, bilateral facet arthropathy L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 16, 2022
- Citation
- 22040785
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 22040785.
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 Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination to assess her employability given her service-connected disabilities prior to April 29, 2019.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is being remanded for additional development of the record, including obtaining his vocational rehabilitation and counseling folder.
- Denied
The veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for his spondylolisthesis L5 with lumbosacral strain is denied.
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