The Board has determined that the current VA examination opinions are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service or one of his service-connected disabilities, with obesity as an intermediate step.
The deciding factor: The previous VA examiners did not adequately address whether obesity was an intermediate step between the Veteran's service-connected knee conditions and his claimed low back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD), Degenerative joint disease (DJD), Intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2023
- Citation
- 23057956
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 23057956.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and other disabilities have been granted, including a TDIU based on his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is being remanded due to an error in the initial decision process. The AOJ needs to provide notice of his right to a hearing before issuing a final decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar disorder, diagnosed as DDD and a lumbosacral strain, has been granted service connection. The Board found that the disability is related to his military service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and whether proposed reductions in ratings for service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremities were proper. The appeals are dismissed.
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