The Veteran's lumbar spine strain has worsened since his last VA examination, and he reported having symptoms of radiating pain through his legs and constant flare-ups. The Board finds that a remand is required to determine the current severity of his service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's back had worsened since his last VA examination, and he reported having symptoms of radiating pain through his legs and constant flare-ups.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18143168
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 18143168.
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 granted service connection for a temporomandibular joint disorder, sleep disorder (claimed as obstructive sleep apnea), lumbar spine strain, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder. The claim for traumatic brain injury was denied.
- Dismissed
The appeal for higher ratings and special monthly compensation was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision was made.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection for various conditions, as well as initial ratings higher than noncompensable for dermatitis and hypertension, and a rating higher than 20 percent for lumbar spine strain.
- Granted
The Veteran's psychiatric disability was granted a 100 percent rating, and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate was also granted from March 31, 2011.
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