The veteran seeks service connection for his current low back disorder, which he believes is related to injuries sustained during active duty. The case has been remanded due to the need for an orthopedic evaluation to determine if it is at least as likely as not that the current condition is related to those incidents.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner needs to provide a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's current low back disorder is related to injuries sustained during active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- intervertebral disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 7, 2005
- Citation
- 0527323
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 0527323.
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 Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 13, 2020 for the service connection of low back disability and related radiculopathy issues. The Veteran's claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted in January 2020.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 20% rating for lumbar strain, which was previously reduced to 0%. The reduction was improper due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE).
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for lumbar and neck conditions on a direct basis, finding that the current conditions are not causally related to in-service injuries.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc disease, finding that the disability began during a period of active duty or active duty for training.
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.