The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting an examination.
The deciding factor: The decision was final because no new and material evidence was submitted within one year of the August 2005 rating decision. The Board finds that the Veteran has provided new and material evidence relating to his claim for service connection for a low back disorder, thus reopening the claim. However, further development is needed as there are gaps in the medical record regarding the onset of the condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2019
- Citation
- 19182668
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 claims for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction, service connection for a low back disorder, and earlier effective dates for TDIU, DEA eligibility, and SMC at the housebound rate.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right hand tremors as a manifestation of tardive dyskinesia and carotidynia due to enlarged lymph nodes, while denying service connection for other conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, gastric ulcer, submandibular scar, bone spurs of the feet, low back disorder, plantar fasciitis, enlarged right testicle, and cyst on the back.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a low back disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD and denied service connection for various disorders, while granting a 50% rating from June 5, 2017.
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