The veteran seeks service connection for a low back disorder and an increased evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder. The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for a low back disorder can be reopened, but it is unclear if the current severity of his PTSD warrants an increase in evaluation.
The deciding factor: New evidence submitted by the veteran raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim for service connection for a chronic low back disability. The current severity of his post-traumatic stress disorder must be evaluated to determine if an increased evaluation is warranted.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2007
- Citation
- 0733470
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 0733470.
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 service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to a verified in-service stressor, and the positive and negative medical evidence is at least in equipoise.
- Granted
Your claim for a higher rating and service connection for PTSD has been granted. The new evidence supports reopening your case.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's asthma was rated at 30% from May 4, 2011, to August 27, 2019. The rating was increased to 60% on September 25, 2019, and then to 100% effective that same day.,The Veteran is granted SMC at the housebound rate from December 7, 2018, to September 24, 2019.
- Remanded (sent back)
The reduction of the disability rating for headaches from 50% to 30% is not proper and is void ab initio. Effective dates are denied for various service connection claims.,Multiple issues related to initial disability ratings, effective dates, and earlier effective dates for higher ratings are remanded.
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