The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected chronic recurrent low back strain is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of both old and new rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The decision requires further development, including a VA examination and consideration of updated rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic recurrent low back strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 23, 2004
- Citation
- 0426528
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 0426528.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected chronic recurrent low back strain is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The case is remanded for additional development and adjudication of the issues of entitlement to service connection for lumbar disc disease and a rating in excess of 40 percent for chronic recurrent low back strain.
- Denied
The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected chronic recurrent low back strain, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptomatology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining all available VA medical records and providing an opinion regarding whether intervertebral disc syndrome or any present neurologic symptoms are related to or have been aggravated by his service-connected chronic recurrent low back strain.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.