The Board has remanded the claims for COPD, low back injury residuals, and bilateral spondylolysis at L-5 with first degree spondylolisthesis due to insufficient evidence on the relationship between these conditions and service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there is not enough evidence to determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service or exposure to herbicides, necessitating further examination and review of records.
- Claimed conditions
- COPD (also claimed as bronchitis), residuals, low back injury, bilateral spondylolysis at L-5 with first degree spondylolisthesis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20043886
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 20043886.
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 decided to remand the cases for further evaluation due to new evidence and a need for updated VA treatment records, as well as for an appropriate VA examination.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals, low back injury and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim is now reviewed on its merits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his low back injury and COPD.
- Granted
The Board finds that the veteran's residuals, low back injury are attributable to his period of service and grants service connection for this condition.
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.