The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for low back disability. The Veteran's lay statements and VA examination report are reviewed, and a new opinion is needed from another examiner.
The deciding factor: The decision was made based on the need for additional medical opinions to address the nexus between the Veteran's current low back disability and his active military service as well as any potential aggravation by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine (low back disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 1, 2020
- Citation
- 20057940
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 20057940.
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: Partly granted
The Board denied an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD and persistent mood disorder, granted a 40 percent initial rating for low back disability, and denied initial ratings higher than 10 percent for plantar fasciitis and radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities involving the sciatic nerve.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left knee arthritis. The issue of entitlement to service connection for left knee osteochondroma was remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his low back disability and right knee disabilities are remanded due to further development being required.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's initial 40 percent rating for low back disability prior to November 27, 2019 is granted. A higher rating of over 40 percent for the low back disability since that date is denied.
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.