The Veteran's upper back and middle back disabilities are not service-connected.,The Board has determined that the issues of entitlement to service connection for an upper back disability and a middle back disability must be remanded.
The deciding factor: Service treatment records show treatment for back complaints, but no specific diagnoses or findings related to upper back or middle back disabilities. Post-service medical records indicate ongoing treatment for various back conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Upper Back Disability, Middle Back Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20042563
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 20042563.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for a right knee strain and service connection for an upper back disability have been denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for traumatic brain injury, chronic headaches, left ear hearing loss, chronic sinusitis, left elbow disability, middle back disability, low back disability, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dysentery, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to incomplete records from his National Guard service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for right elbow, right shoulder, upper back, and lower back disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for a Traumatic Brain Injury and an Upper Back Disability have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, nor any evidence linking them to his military service.,Service connection was not granted because the medical evidence did not support a link between the claimed disabilities and service.
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.