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.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not provide sufficient information on the extent of functional loss due to pain or other factors during flare-ups or repetitive use over time.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar myofascial strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21028792
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 21028792.
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 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.
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