The Veteran's appeal is for an increased evaluation of his service-connected thoracolumbar strain, including the propriety of a reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent effective February 1, 2018. The Board has determined that remand is necessary due to inadequate medical evidence and the need for updated VA treatment records.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar strain disability needs further evaluation as the current rating reduction was based on an outdated VA examination conducted two years prior, which may not accurately reflect the current severity of his condition.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20002951
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 Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating greater than 10 percent for thoracolumbar strain, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence that it met a compensable level during the period on appeal.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of September 2, 2010, for service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right sciatic nerves but denied increased ratings for these conditions. The claims for increased ratings for knee and back conditions were remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, a bladder condition, and various other conditions including psychiatric issues, alopecia, musculoskeletal problems, and skin conditions. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.
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