The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more current VA medical evaluation of his service-connected low back strain with degenerative changes and cervical spine disorders, as well as obtaining all available treatment records from August 2007 to the present.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has reported worsening symptoms since the last examination over three years ago, including increased pain and decreased ability to ambulate. The VA's duty to assist includes providing a thorough and contemporaneous medical evaluation when there is evidence of an increase in severity of service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- low back strain with degenerative changes, degenerative joint disease, cervical spine C5-6 with herniated disc
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 20, 2011
- Citation
- 1126996
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 1126996.
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 appeal for service connection for left shoulder disability was granted in full, and the issues of entitlement to a rating higher than 10 percent for right hamstring tendonitis, left elbow bursitis, chronic left ankle sprain, and low back disability were denied or dismissed.
- Granted
The Veteran's back brace caused wear and tear to her clothing, but the knee brace did not. The skin condition causing damage to clothing is not service-connected.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with a previous remand and for additional development, including an examination of the Veteran's low back disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's low back strain with degenerative changes.
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