The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error due to the lack of an adequate medical opinion addressing the issue of nexus for the Veteran's current back condition. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner’s opinion relied solely on the lack of documented treatment in service, which does not meet the standard required by law.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain (back condition)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2020
- Citation
- A20019395
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A20019395.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has restored the 10 percent disability rating for an adjustment disorder and the 20 percent disability rating for a back condition, effective June 1, 2025. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back condition and whether his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities caused or aggravated obesity, which in turn may have caused his back condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and examination regarding his back condition, right shoulder condition, right ankle condition, migraine headaches, and urinary frequency. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a back condition, including as secondary to his service-connected right hip disability. The Veteran's current back condition is less likely than not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right hip disability. An addendum medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's back condition is aggravated by his service-connected right hip disability.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.