The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disorder. The veteran's current medical records, including those from Dr. Skinner, indicate possible links between his current musculoskeletal complaints and his military experience in Vietnam. However, additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are causally related to his active service.
The deciding factor: The evidence submitted by the veteran includes a medical opinion linking the veteran's chronic medical problems to difficulties during his military experience, including exposure to anti-malarial medication.
- Claimed conditions
- back disorder, muscular disorder manifested by pain, stiffness and spasms, abdominal disorder, chest and shoulder disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 2, 2004
- Citation
- 0405638
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 0405638.
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.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and rating issues, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these matters.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for a back disorder and tinnitus, as new and material evidence was not submitted.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for pes planus (flat feet) and remanded several other issues, including service connection for various disorders and increased ratings for the right knee. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right knee instability.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, back disorder, and neuropathy as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service.
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