The veteran seeks service connection for chronic low back pain, degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine, and mid-lumbar scoliosis. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and etiology of her current low back condition.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service medical records do not contain evidence of a back injury in service, but she testified about recurring back pain since a motor vehicle accident during service. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination to determine the nature and etiology of her current low back condition.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic low back pain, degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine, mid-lumbar scoliosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 15, 2007
- Citation
- 0725356
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 0725356.
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 has decided to remand the case due to predecisional duty-to-assist errors, including inadequate medical opinions and missed VA examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is being returned to the RO for further action.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic low back pain was incurred in service and continues to this day, granting her claim for service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's thoracolumbar disorder, including arthritis, thoracic spine scoliosis with degenerative changes, DDD, and chronic low back pain, is granted service connection. Service connection for a cervical strain is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's chronic low back pain, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral foot conditions are granted. The lung condition (including asthma and bronchitis) is remanded for further evaluation.
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