The Board has denied service connection for the low back condition and remanded the issue of increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between the current back conditions and service, and there was no credible continuity of symptoms since service. The Veteran's testimony regarding continuous pain after service was inconsistent with his own statements to medical providers over the years.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back condition, Unspecified depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19132912
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 40% rating for his low back condition and a 60% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, while other claims were denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or event that caused these conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 40% initial rating for left upper extremity paresthesia, hypoesthesia and denied higher ratings or service connection for other conditions.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review the case.
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