The Board has remanded the claims for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to service and, if so, whether it is aggravated by his service-connected low back disability. The bilateral hip disability claim is also deferred until the low back disability claim is resolved.
The deciding factor: The examiner will assess whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that any pre-existing low back disability was not worsened beyond its natural progression during service, and if so, determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disability (spinal stenosis and disk rupture L5-S1), bilateral hip disability
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18144394
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 18144394.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions and a failure to provide a VA examination for sleep apnea.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral ankle, hip, shoulder, and knee disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder and heat sensitivity.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's bilateral hip disability and TDIU claim are remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of inextricably intertwined issues.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.