The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of thoracolumbar degenerative disease (low back disability) due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected right ankle and knee disabilities. A new examination is required.
The deciding factor: The VA medical opinion provided was not adequate as it did not address whether the Veteran's low back disorder has been caused or aggravated by an abnormal gait associated with his service-connected right ankle and knee disabilities, including leg length discrepancy.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar degenerative disease (low back disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 21, 2019
- Citation
- 19188301
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 19188301.
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.
- Granted
The Board denied service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities were granted.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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