The Board is remanding the case to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lower back disability, which resulted in surgery in 1985, is related to service. The RO must also ensure that all requested actions have been undertaken and undertake any further development deemed warranted by the record.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that a VA medical opinion is needed to address whether the Veteran's lower back disability is related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of L5-S1, Left L3-4 disc with quadriceps weakness and partial foot drop
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 27, 2009
- Citation
- 0927931
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 0927931.
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 PTSD, back injury, and bilateral knee disabilities (PFS). The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered direct findings of his military service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of L5-S1, claimed as mid/low back disorder. The Veteran's current diagnosis is supported by his in-service treatment records and ongoing symptoms.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity) render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU effective June 14, 2010.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.
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