The Board has decided to remand the claim for a VA examination due to concerns about the accuracy of the previous examination report, specifically regarding the use of a goniometer.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on the need for another VA examination that includes the use of a goniometer to measure the Veteran's range of motion accurately.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylolisthesis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 7, 2023
- Citation
- 23013811
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 23013811.
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 Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and his urinary incontinence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 50 percent from October 1, 2011. The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues with his TDIU claim and the need for additional evidence regarding his low back disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylolisthesis is rated at 10 percent prior to October 30, 2016 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions are each rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran’s degenerative joint disease of the left knee is rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran’s degenerative joint disease of the right knee is rated at 10 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylolisthesis is rated at 40 percent, effective July 9, 2012. His bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated as 20 percent for each leg since September 13, 2011.
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