The Veteran's appeal involves three issues: an initial evaluation for back strain, status post lumbar fusion, from July 20, 2005 to January 22, 2007; a higher evaluation after that date; and TDIU. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of extraschedular rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's back disability claim requires further examination to assess current severity and impact on employment.
- Claimed conditions
- back strain, status post surgery for fusion of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 3, 2010
- Citation
- 1020475
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 1020475.
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 remands the claim for a secondary service connection opinion regarding whether the Veteran's back strain is aggravated by his service-connected left knee sprain.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service connection for migraine headaches was granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, while other conditions were denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation for various conditions, including right hip strain, PTSD, and left ankle condition, among others.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an abdominal muscle contusion and back strain was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.
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