The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease, L5-S1, is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether VA complied with its duty to assist and for additional development including medical examinations.
The deciding factor: Clarification is required as to whether VA fulfilled its statutory and regulatory duty to assist the veteran, specifically regarding his bowel and bladder symptoms related to his service-connected back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease, L5-S1, bowel and bladder symptoms
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 14, 2007
- Citation
- 0725196
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 0725196.
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)
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder and back disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of recent medical examination and updated treatment records. The Veteran's disability ratings for his bilateral knee and lumbar spine conditions are being reviewed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one is required for proper evaluation of the Veteran's back disability.
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