The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient analysis regarding the Veteran's low back disorder and its relationship to service. The appeal is now with the RO for further action.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the August 2019 decision failed to assess the credibility of the Veteran’s assertions as to low back pain at the time of a March 1984 in-service injury, did not address whether the presumption of soundness applies, and relied on an inadequate VA opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20068289
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 was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disorder to obtain additional medical evidence and ensure that the Veteran is afforded every possible consideration.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a low back disorder was dismissed as the RO granted service connection in a November 2023 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a low back disorder to obtain additional evidence and an adequate medical opinion in compliance with previous remand instructions.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.