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
- Not verified here — check the original 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18144394.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.
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