The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected low back muscular strain is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of recent medical records.
The deciding factor: The most recent VA examination was conducted over 7 years ago, and there are no current treatment records available. The Veteran has also not provided information on any recent private treatment that could be obtained by VA.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back muscular strain, Neurological disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 1, 2018
- Citation
- 18139675
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 18139675.
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 Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired mental health disorder, to include PTSD due to in-service military sexual trauma (MST).
- Partly granted
The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, neurological disorder, right side body weakness, memory disorder, and balance disorder based on new and relevant evidence being received.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for low back muscular strain is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes.
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