The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, diffuse joint and muscle pain, and hypertension has been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence submitted since the September 2009 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating her claims. However, further examination is needed to determine the etiology of her lumbar spine condition.
The deciding factor: The new evidence suggests a diagnosis of degenerative disc and joint disease of the lower lumbar spine but does not provide an opinion on its etiology.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disability, diffuse joint and muscle pain (including chronic inflammatory myopathy, myofascial pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis), hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 31, 2019
- Citation
- 19142201
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 19142201.
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.
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The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for fibromyalgia and Gulf War unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness, bronchus, as well as an extension of the temporary 100 percent disability evaluation.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for scarring, right orchiopexy and remanded the claim of asbestos exposure residuals. Other claims for service connection were denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
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