The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities, including low back strain, bilateral patellar tendonitis, bilateral trapezius strains (claimed as shoulder disorders), bilateral hip disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical records and arrange for a comprehensive orthopedic examination.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the current service treatment records are insufficient to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and requested further development including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for an examination.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain, Bilateral patellar tendonitis, Bilateral trapezius strain (claimed as bilateral shoulder disorder), Bilateral hip disorder, Bilateral ankle disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20005365
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.
- Partly granted
The appeal was denied for service connection of a cervical spine disorder, and several claims were remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an increased rating for low back strain to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including the side effects of medication taken to treat his back disability, precluded substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral wrist disorder due to errors in scheduling VA examinations.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.