The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's lumbosacral facet arthritis with thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine prior to October 22, 2008. The remand requires obtaining a retrospective medical opinion that substantially complies with the April 2022 Board remand instructions.
The deciding factor: The Court found that the previous VA examination did not provide sufficient detail regarding the Veteran's symptoms and functional impairment prior to October 22, 2008.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral facet arthritis with thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 14, 2024
- Citation
- A24046652
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 A24046652.
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 tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, which grants entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation at a housebound rate is moot due to the grant of aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 30, 2018. The Board has granted a TDIU effective July 1, 2018.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right foot plantar fasciitis, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and left ankle fracture residuals are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.
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