The Board has determined that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's L5-S1 disc bulge was permanently worsened by his May 2005 period of INACDUTRA, and whether this worsening was beyond the natural progression of the disorder.
The deciding factor: An examination is required to assess the etiology of the current low back disability, including whether it was permanently worsened during a period of INACDUTRA.
- Claimed conditions
- L5-S1 disc bulge
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 6, 2013
- Citation
- 1336021
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 1336021.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluation and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these appeals prior to a decision being made.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, facet arthropathy and L5-S1 disc bulge has been granted a 40 percent disability rating effective January 9, 2015.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for development of his pending increased rating claims and readjudication after any necessary development has been completed. The TDIU claim will be considered in conjunction with these new developments.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 1, 2005 and increased to 20 percent as of that date.
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