The Veteran's lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome has been granted initial and increased ratings. The skin disability claim is remanded due to inadequate examination.,For the period from June 21, 2011 to September 16, 2013, the Veteran’s lumbar strain was rated at 20 percent. From September 17, 2013 to December 2, 2019, it was rated at 40 percent. For the period from December 3, 2019 onward, a higher rating is denied.
The deciding factor: The remand directive requires an adequate VA examination to determine the existence and etiology of the Veteran's claimed skin disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Strain with Intervertebral Disc Syndrome, Skin Disability (claimed as HSV-2, venereal warts)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20081281
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,500 · Granted: 29% (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 20081281.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tension headaches, lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right knee strain, and hearing loss, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted as his PTSD is now considered service-connected.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left leg disability is reopened, and the appeal is granted.
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