The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate medical evidence regarding the current state of the Veteran's disability, specifically his low back pain with degenerative arthritis. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to determine the severity of his condition and whether he should be granted higher ratings or separate ratings for any associated neurologic abnormalities.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the last VA examination did not adequately address the current state of the Veteran's disability, particularly regarding intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and neurological manifestations in both lower extremities.
- Claimed conditions
- low back pain with degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21030633
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21030633.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's low back pain with degenerative arthritis is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to service, including carrying heavy pack loads and flak jackets.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the claims for increased evaluations of postoperative residuals, fracture, left navicular wrist; low back pain with degenerative arthritis; and degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine need to be remanded due to deficiencies in the examination reports. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the other issues.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating effective April 12, 2013. His low back disability was also increased to 70% from that date.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including low back pain with degenerative arthritis, arthritis of the right knee, medial collateral ligament strain of the left knee, residuals of resection of the left clavicle, residuals of a left lung resection with history of sarcoidosis, duodenal ulcer, and hemorrhoids.
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