The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability, specifically addressing whether his current condition is related to pre-existing kyphosis-scoliosis and if it was aggravated during service.
The deciding factor: The previous examination did not adequately address the Veteran's reported daily back pain in service, which could affect the determination of aggravation or incurrence of a low back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- low back arthritis, moderate dorsal kyphosis-scoliosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20024374
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20024374.
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 has remanded the claims for low back arthritis, bilateral knee arthritis, and left hip arthritis due to inadequate medical opinions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for low back arthritis, left knee arthritis, and left hip arthritis. The issues of service connection for sciatic nerve pain, high blood pressure, and right arm skin cancer are remanded due to the failure to obtain VA examinations or opinions.
- Granted
The veteran is granted an effective date of August 5, 2021 for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the veteran's left knee arthritis, low back arthritis, and right wrist arthritis. The veteran's claims were based on injuries sustained during active duty.
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