The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, including muscle strain and lower back pain/strain, has been granted by the RO. The Veteran is now assigned a 40 percent rating effective December 9, 2014.
The deciding factor: The RO granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions based on evidence that was already of record at the time of the decision and did not require reopening of the claim due to new evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- muscle strain, lower back pain/strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 28, 2016
- Citation
- 1612363
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1612363.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for joint pain right ankle, left knee condition, and lower back pain/strain due to his withdrawal of the appeal.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied because his service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to protect himself from daily living hazards.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status was also denied as he does not meet the statutory or factual criteria for an award of SMC based on housebound status.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence of onset and etiology, requiring VA examinations. The PACT Act presumption applies to TERA exposure.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, pharyngitis, upper respiratory infection, lower back pain/strain, and left thigh pain/strain due to inadequate VA examinations.
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