The Board remands the claim for a VA opinion to address whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability manifested in the functional equivalent of unfavorable ankylosis during flare-ups.
The deciding factor: The March 2025 VA examiner did not provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's disability manifested in the functional equivalent of unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine during a flare-up, as required by the February 2025 Board decision remand directives.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 19, 2025
- Citation
- 25006804
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 is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the intermediate rate between the (m) and (n) rates based on his service-connected conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands multiple claims for higher initial ratings and other benefits due to the need for additional development, including an examination regarding atrophy in the Veteran's legs.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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