The appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further consideration. The Veteran's low back disorder claim, along with his psychiatric disability and TDIU claims, are inextricably intertwined and must be adjudicated together.
The deciding factor: The July 2013 Memorandum Decision vacated the Board's decision regarding the low back disorder because it did not address an August 2002 VA treatment record. The appeal is REMANDED to obtain additional medical evidence, including a physical examination and opinions on whether the Veteran's service-connected sural nerve impairment caused or aggravated his current low back disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disorder with radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 12, 2014
- Citation
- 1421359
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 1421359.
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 has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm disorder and low back disorder with radiculopathy, but has remanded her claims for service connection for vestibular disorder (vertigo), right hip disorder, left knee disorder, and right ankle disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder with radiculopathy and erectile dysfunction, finding that the Veteran did not have a chronic condition within one year of separation from service or continuity of symptomatology since separation. The Board also found no in-service incurrence linked by medical nexus to current diagnoses.
- Denied
The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a low back disorder with radiculopathy during service or related to service, and the claim for service connection is denied.
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