The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and a need for an addendum VA examination. The Veteran's claim of having a current low back disorder related to service is pending.
The deciding factor: The decision was made based on the need for verification of all periods of service, obtaining missing personnel and treatment records, and requesting an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of any diagnosed lower back disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19196042
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 19196042.
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 Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's radiculopathy, right lower extremity prior to June 4, 2018, is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's radiculopathy, right lower extremity from June 4, 2018, is rated at 20 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran is not found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.
- 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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