The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's low back disorder during service. The Veteran and witnesses from his military service have provided testimony and statements describing in-service injuries, but a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if these events are causally related to the current condition.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's low back disorder during service and requested an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to consider the relevant evidence including the Veteran's testimony and statements from fellow service members.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20002078
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a low back disorder to correct duty to assist errors, as the previous VA examinations and opinions are inadequate.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, neck disorder, and radiculopathy of both upper and lower extremities to correct duty-to-assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of a disability rating for a low back disorder and entitlement to TDIU due to non-compliance with previous remand directives.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a low back disorder, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity on a secondary basis, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity on a secondary basis.
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