The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability. The AOJ must provide additional development as requested by the Board.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the AOJ did not issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) following the remand, which is required under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 12, 2023
- Citation
- 23050391
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 23050391.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed all service connection claims except for the Veteran's TDIU claim, which was granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial compensable rating for residuals of a left index finger laceration is granted, while his PTSD and lumbar spine disabilities remain at the current ratings.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and status post cervical fusion residuals were denied as there was no evidence to support a higher rating based on the current manifestations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine and right knee disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.