The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a lower spine disability due to new and material evidence, but further review is needed as there are conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current condition.
The deciding factor: There are conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current back condition is related to his military service. The VA examiner found no connection between the in-service injury and the current disability, while a private orthopedic surgeon concluded that the condition was more likely than not related to military service.
- Claimed conditions
- lower spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 7, 2019
- Citation
- 19161079
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,874 · Granted: 33% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19161079.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's need for aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disability is recognized, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the appeal for readjudication of service connection claims, primarily focusing on a left heel disability and its secondary effects.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disability, finding that her condition does not require such assistance.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and lower back disability, including lower left extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the increased rating claims.
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