The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of his claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low-back disability.
The deciding factor: The February 2011 VA examination report does not specify the extent of pain on motion, functional loss during flare-ups or with repeated use, and additional limitation of motion due to pain. These details are necessary to determine the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis, lower lumbar spine, Chronic low back pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2015
- Citation
- 1518140
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 1518140.
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 Board has determined that the Veteran is not eligible for benefits under VA's PCAFC program as he does not require personal care services due to inability to perform ADLs or need for supervision, protection, or instruction.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development to address issues related to a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 21, 2022, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter, for residuals of a fracture of the L2 vertebra with chronic low back pain. The propriety of the separately assigned rating for RLE radiculopathy is also remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim for payment of non-VA medical services provided to the Veteran on November 30, 2015, due to lack of prior authorization and because the treatment was not in response to a medical emergency. The VA facility was feasibly available.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service injury or disease.
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