The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection of his low back disability was denied. The Board also granted an increased rating of 20 percent for his right arm (shoulder) disability, but remanded the cases regarding DVT and partial tear of the left biceps tendon.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claim of service connection for a low back disability. The Board also found that the preponderance of the evidence was against higher ratings for his right arm and DVT disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- deep vein thrombosis of the left lower leg, lumbar spine (low back) disability, partial tear of the left biceps tendon (minor)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19155146
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 19155146.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of arthritis or other chronic disease manifesting within one year after separation from service and that the current low back disability did not have its onset in service.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's explicit withdrawal of his claims for increased ratings and service connection, with full understanding of the consequences.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, plantar fasciitis, and sleep disorder, as the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or functional impairment affecting earning capacity.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and potential exposure verification issues.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.