The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back condition, which he contends is related to an accident in service. The Board finds the VA examination inadequate and remands the case for further development including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.
The deciding factor: The VA examination did not adequately address the Veteran's lay assertions of experiencing symptoms since 1971 and his assertion that he sought medical treatment in the 1970s from two private physicians, who are deceased. The examiner also did not consider the possibility that the Veteran's condition may be related to an accident in service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar facet syndrome, SI Joint Syndrome, herniated disc, lumbar radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2016
- Citation
- 1614132
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 1614132.
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 granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury during active duty and his continuous symptoms since then.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity are rated at 20 percent effective November 6, 2024.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination, and the Veteran's low back condition may be related to service or his service-connected chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
- Denied
The Board found the reduction in disability evaluation from 40% to 20% was improper and void ab initio due to inadequate examination for reduction.
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