The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for hemorrhoids, and for a dental disorder. The AOJ is directed to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if his current low back disorder had its onset during or is otherwise related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that an additional VA examination was needed to address whether the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to his military service, as the previous opinion was based solely on the lack of objective evidence of an in-service injury and/or continuity of care following service.
- Claimed conditions
- dental disorder, hemorrhoids, low back disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 17, 2020
- Citation
- 20073650
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 hemorrhoids due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring an additional direct medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted a 10 percent rating for hemorrhoids, which fully satisfies the Veteran's appeal.
- 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.
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