The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The initial rating and TDIU claims have been granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's assertions of low back disability are consistent with his military history, but additional medical evidence is needed to determine if there is a current low back disability related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Bipolar Disorder, Lumbar Spine Disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 3, 2020
- Citation
- 20000373
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 granted an effective date of February 12, 2013 for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on statutory housebound criteria.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded issues related to service connection for knee and lumbar spine disorders.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
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