Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 8, 2017, for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and spinal stenosis due to an insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's flare-ups during the appeal period.
The deciding factor: The Board found that a remand was necessary to obtain a retrospective medical opinion addressing the functional impact of the Veteran's flare-ups for the appeal period prior to August 8, 2017, as the September 2013 VA examination did not comply with the requirements set by Sharp v. Shulkin.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, Intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), Spinal stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 27, 2025
- Citation
- 25013310
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