The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) at L4-5 with disc bulge at L5-S1 is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and additional treatment records.
The deciding factor: The decision requires further development, including a new VA examination and obtaining up-to-date medical records, before the claim can be adjudicated on the merits.
- Claimed conditions
- HNP, L4-5, disc bulge at L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 15, 2013
- Citation
- 1325901
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 1325901.
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 Veteran is seeking service connection for mild spondyloarthropathy, disc bulge at L5-S1, mild canal stenosis and mild disc desiccation. The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU effective January 1, 2016.,The Veteran also seeks a TDIU prior to November 11, 2013 due to his service-connected knee disabilities. This claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).,A VA back examination was conducted in June 2014 but did not provide a clear opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current back condition is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.
- Denied
The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 60 percent disability evaluation for his back condition was denied as there is no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to June 23, 1999.
- Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination to evaluate the severity of intervertebral disc syndrome under both old and new criteria.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with an L4-S1 disc bulge warrants a 40 percent disability rating, which is the maximum available under current VA regulations.
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