The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new examination. The initial rating of 10 percent for chronic lower back strain and thoracic arthritis remains under review.
The deciding factor: The case requires further development including obtaining treatment records and scheduling an orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's low back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lower back strain, thoracic arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 8, 2014
- Citation
- 1444782
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 1444782.
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.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 40 percent to 20 percent for lumbar strain with thoracic arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome effective September 6, 2021 is proper based on evidence showing improvement in his back condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected dextroscoliosis with chronic lower back strain is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for further development.
- Granted
The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and he is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another. The issues regarding service connection for Parkinson’s disease and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD have not yet been adjudicated.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic lower back strain with mild degenerative disc disease was denied. The current disability level does not warrant an increased rating.
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