The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic low back strain and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with L4-L5 nerve root involvement, as secondary to service-connected chronic low back strain. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected chronic low back strain and whether other thoracolumbar conditions are related to in-service treatment or aggravated by his service-connected condition.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional medical evidence is needed to address the severity of the Veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain and to determine if any other diagnosed thoracolumbar conditions are related to in-service treatment or aggravated by his service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic low back strain, degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine with L4-L5 nerve root involvement
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 3, 2020
- Citation
- 20058361
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 20058361.
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: Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for effective dates prior to September 27, 2024, for the awards of service connection for various knee and back conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from April 29, 2018.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for a lower back disability and remanded claims for a higher rating, TDIU, and extraschedular consideration.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating and earlier effective date of service connection for his back disability was partially granted, with a 40 percent disability rating assigned from May 10, 2010. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied.
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