The Veteran's low back disorder is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's right hip avascular necrosis and hip replacement are being remanded for further development as secondary to his service-connected diabetes and low back disorder.
The deciding factor: The current medical evidence does not support an increase in the rating for the low back disorder beyond 60 percent, given the lack of ankylosis or other disabling conditions.,Service connection is being remanded as there are no clear indications that the hip disorders are secondary to his service-connected diabetes and low back disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Disorder, Right Hip Avascular Necrosis and Hip Replacement, Left Hip Avascular Necrosis and Hip Replacement
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18153291
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 18153291.
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 reduction of the disability rating for headaches from 50% to 30% is not proper and is void ab initio. Effective dates are denied for various service connection claims.,Multiple issues related to initial disability ratings, effective dates, and earlier effective dates for higher ratings are remanded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right knee disability and low back disorder. As a result, the cases are dismissed.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders as these conditions are not shown to be related to military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and low back disorders due to potential errors in duty to assist. Additional medical opinions are needed to address causation.
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