The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition and mood disorder due to inadequate rationale in the previous VA examination, lack of discussion on a second motor vehicle accident, and need for updated treatment records.
The deciding factor: The Board found the previous VA examiner’s rationale insufficient and needed another VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current lower back disability. The mood disorder claim is linked to the low back condition due to the Veteran's assertion that his mood disorder is secondary to his lumbar spine condition.
- Claimed conditions
- low back condition (also claimed as post-traumatic residual well advanced degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, left sacroiliac joint pain and thoracic sprain), mood disorder (also claimed as adjustment disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19104291
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 obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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