The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, including an MRI of the lumbar spine and an EMG study of the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran is seeking higher disability ratings for his service-connected low back disability and radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new medical evidence was needed to properly assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, specifically due to outstanding treatment records from October 15, 2018 onwards.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease, rhabdomyolysis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19173781
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 19173781.
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 has remanded the claims of service connection for radiculopathy, left and right lower extremities as secondary to lumbosacral strain due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion prior to the March 2025 rating decision. The Veteran is advised to cooperate with VA in obtaining relevant evidence.
- Denied
The Veteran's increased evaluation for rhabdomyolysis is denied, and his service connection claims for other conditions are also denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted initial disability ratings of 10 percent for rhabdomyolysis of the bilateral lower legs, muscle group XII, effective April 19, 2024. The decision finds that the Veteran's symptoms during the appeal period more nearly approximate moderate muscle disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's rhabdomyolysis was granted service connection, and the right shoulder strain increased to a 30 percent rating. The decision also noted that the Veteran's pain limits her ability to perform normal working movements of the body.
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.