The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability is reopened, but the issue of whether it was incurred in or aggravated by service remains pending. The Board has ordered additional development to determine the nature and likely etiology of his current low back disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence received since the prior final rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection, but further examination is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's current low back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- low back strain, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 14, 2019
- Citation
- 19111857
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 19111857.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including the one for an increased rating for low back strain.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for athletes' foot, low back strain, and plantar fasciitis due to a lack of a VA examination prior to the August 2020 rating decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a low back strain has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and low back disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.
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