The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar sprain with Schmorl's node and retrolisthesis, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected lumbar sprain. The Veteran must be afforded a new VA examination and additional records are needed.
The deciding factor: The current evidence is outdated and does not comply with the requirements of Correia v. McDonald (2016) and Sharp v. Shulkin (2017).
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar sprain, Schmorl's node, retrolisthesis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20026895
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 20026895.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran argues that he should have been granted service connection for lumbar sprain and hearing loss as early as 1965 based on his STRs showing these conditions existed in service. The Board finds the RO's failure to adjudicate this CUE claim was an error and remands the matter.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome, retrolisthesis, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as back pain) due to incomplete STRs and SPRs. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and schedule a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining complete treatment records from Dr. Akin and Dr. Dolnick, and obtaining medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's current back disability was caused by wear and tear during service or aggravation of a preexisting scoliosis.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 10, 2020. The Board denied an increase in the evaluation for his low back disability as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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