The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected major depression caused him to become obese, and if so, whether obesity was a substantial factor in causing his current mid-back disability.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on the need for a medical opinion to determine the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected major depression and his current mid-back disability through the intermediate step of obesity.
- Claimed conditions
- middle back disability
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 4, 2020
- Citation
- 20058646
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 20058646.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for low back and middle back disabilities was dismissed due to an untimely notice of disagreement.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability and remanded the claims for other left lower extremity radiculopathies, foot, ankle, leg, and back disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for low testosterone, an initial rating more than 20 percent for painful left shoulder scars, and service connection for left calf tear, neck disability, middle back disability, and right quadricep tear.
- Partly granted
The Board decided to reopen and reconsider several claims related to service connection for various conditions. Some claims were dismissed or denied, while others were remanded for further consideration.
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