The claims for higher ratings for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, left foot degenerative arthritis, and right foot degenerative arthritis are remanded due to an insufficient examination.
The deciding factor: The March 2017 examinations were found to be inadequate as they did not properly distinguish between pre-existing conditions and service-connected disabilities, and failed to provide a full description of the disabilities under the rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, Left foot degenerative arthritis, Right foot degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 13, 2025
- Citation
- A25042899
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,341 · Granted: 33% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A25042899.
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 back disability is rated at 40 percent prior to January 13, 2022. Effective March 18, 2020, the Veteran is granted TDIU.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to readjudicate his claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as a right foot disability. However, these issues are being remanded due to new evidence submitted after the November 2022 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and obstructive sleep apnea. As a result, these claims are being remanded to allow for further review.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted entitlement to Chapter 33 educational assistance benefits at the 100 percent rate due to his service-connected back disability and discharge from active duty.
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