The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected low back scar is remanded due to the need for additional development. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disorder is also remanded.
The deciding factor: Additional development is required as the veteran's service medical records are unavailable, which may affect the determination of his service connection claim.
- Claimed conditions
- low back scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 6, 2004
- Citation
- 0432189
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 0432189.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and entitlement to TDIU due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors in the September 2021 examinations.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, back disability, and related secondary conditions based on in-service injuries.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back scar, which is painful, has been granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent.
- Dismissed
The appeal for the claims of service connection for sleep apnea, low back scar, and disorders of the neck and bilateral ankle is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, left hip scar, plantar fasciitis, a bilateral shoulder disorder, and right knee disorder are remanded.
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