The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from October 27, 2017. The Board has remanded several issues for additional development and clarification of the record.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on a December 2008 rating decision that granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and rated it at 20 percent disabling. The Veteran appealed for higher ratings, and the Board has now remanded several issues for additional development.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral spondylolysis fifth lumbar vertebra/first sacral vertebra with or without spondylolisthesis, status post decompression laminectomy and posterolateral spinal fusion at fifth lumbar vertebra/first sacral vertebra with hardware, sciatica right lower extremity (sciatic nerve involvement), sciatica left lower extremity (sciatic nerve involvement), sciatica right lower extremity (femoral nerve involvement), sciatica left lower extremity (femoral nerve involvement)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20001800
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 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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.