The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected left big toe fracture residuals caused or aggravated his lower back disorder. The examiner was asked to provide opinions on causation and aggravation, but did not address the Veteran's lay statements about altered gait after the in-service injury.
The deciding factor: The Board found the January 2021 VA medical opinion inadequate for deciding the issue of service connection due to an insufficient discussion of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his altered gait and previous medical opinions noting a relationship between his toe fracture and back pain.
- Claimed conditions
- lower back disorder
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21023893
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 21023893.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, right hip, and right ankle disorders as secondary to his left knee disorder. The AOJ must obtain VA examinations and provide answers to questions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left leg shin splints and lower back disorder due to new evidence received by the Veteran. The VA will conduct further examinations and consider any additional evidence before making a decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lower back disorder. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a lower back disorder, finding that the preexisting spondylolisthesis did not increase in severity during active duty and was not aggravated by service.
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