The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar myofascial strain and right eye macular scar due to evidence of worsening since his last VA examinations. The Veteran is also encouraged to submit a formal application for service connection for secondary disabilities, such as headaches and anxiety.
The deciding factor: The Veteran testified that his low back and right eye disabilities have worsened since the last VA examination, warranting new evaluations.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar myofascial strain, right eye macular scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20068983
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,858 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20068983.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbar myofascial strain is rated at 40 percent since July 10, 2009. Effective January 4, 2021, the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent; effective December 14, 2016, the left sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent; and effective March 28, 2021, the right femoral nerve radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's left femoral nerve radiculopathy remains at a 30 percent rating throughout the period on appeal.
- Partly granted
The veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for left heel laceration residuals was denied. The claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, lumbar myofascial strain, and respiratory conditions were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for left knee condition, right knee condition, lumbar myofascial strain, asthma, and status post left heel laceration residuals, including scar. Additional development is required to obtain private medical records and provide a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's lumbar myofascial strain is currently rated at 20 percent prior to September 3, 2020 and the Board has remanded for further development. The right eye macular scar remains rated at 10 percent.
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