The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability is being remanded to schedule the veteran for a new VA examination.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence in this case is in significant conflict, necessitating another VA examination to reconcile the contradicting evidence and determine the current level of severity of the veteran's service-connected low back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 15, 2008
- Citation
- 0816016
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease and denied a compensable evaluation for bilateral hydroceles. The claims for left knee strain and instability, as well as obstructive sleep apnea, were remanded for further readjudication.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical examination and review of the evidence, including the November 2018 MRI report and December 2018 EMG results, are necessary before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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