The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records and a need for further examination to determine if the Veteran's back condition is related to his National Guard service.
The deciding factor: Incomplete service personnel records prevent a determination of whether the Veteran's back condition clearly and unmistakably preexisted his National Guard service, and an examination is needed to assess its relationship to any in-service injuries or events.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar disc disease
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 17, 2020
- Citation
- 20061226
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 20061226.
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: Granted
The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted with an effective date of May 3, 2016. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities including his CFS and adjustment disorder.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for genital herpes is denied as the highest schedular rating of 60% has been achieved. The claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is also denied due to the presence of other service-connected conditions and the fact that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a combined 100% disability rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder associated with lumbar disc disease was granted on March 24, 2021. The Board found that the effective date should be set to this date as there is no legal link between the previous claim and the new claim.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, lumbar disc disease, and cervical spine disability based on evidence supporting an in-service onset of symptoms that have continued to the present.
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