The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability is denied, and the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded to obtain a VA medical opinion.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability manifested as or more nearly approximated the criteria for a higher, 40 percent rating under the General Rating Formula. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded to obtain a VA medical opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative endplate changes mid-thoracic spine with lumbosacral strain, Acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 6, 2024
- Citation
- A24053401
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 A24053401.
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 Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The claim of service connection for neck disability is remanded.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted, while claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and other conditions were denied. The rating assigned for irritable bowel syndrome is 30 percent.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a rating of 50 percent for migraines but denied an increased rating for the acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran meets the schedular percentage requirements for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
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