The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a thoracolumbar back disorder due to insufficient rationale and inadequate medical opinions in the previous decision.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the previous decisions did not adequately address continuity of symptomatology, consider applicable regulations, or provide sufficient rationale for denying the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar back disorder, degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, lumbar strain, spondylosis with low back pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 11, 2019
- Citation
- 19128198
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 remands the case for further development, including obtaining new medical opinions and examination reports to address the issues of service connection and increased ratings.
- Granted
The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability since September 26, 2024.
- Dismissed
The appeal to reopen the previous denial of service connection for lumbosacral strain is dismissed as the benefit sought has been fully granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and TDIU due to missing records.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.