The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is required to determine if the Veteran's back disability is related to service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion was found to be insufficient as it did not provide a rationale for its conclusion.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy, Pain and limitation of movement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 13, 2012
- Citation
- 1201489
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 1201489.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's back disability is rated at 60 percent, the maximum under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or additional functional loss.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder did not have its onset during service or within a year of discharge, and is not related to any in-service injury. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's back disorder is related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain missing VA treatment records and for further development, including arranging for the Veteran to undergo additional examination if appropriate.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.