The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification regarding VA treatment records from the Clarksburg VAMC and notification of the absence of certain records.
The deciding factor: Clarification was needed on the specific VA treatment records mentioned in the August 2019 SSOC, and notification was required if there were no available records related to the Veteran's reported January 1999 back treatment.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral spine strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20003990
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for evaluations in excess of the assigned ratings and service connection claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case to correct a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the rating decision on appeal, specifically regarding an adequate VA examination or medical opinion addressing the severity of the Veteran's back disorder prior to August 5, 2023.
- Partly granted
The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral spine strain from December 28, 2021, and granted service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to UTSRD and obstructive sleep apnea.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to various disability ratings and service connection for further development, as the current evidence is incomplete.
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