The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to new evidence indicating muscle spasms and cervicalgia, which are not currently service-connected but may be related to the Veteran's service-connected back disabilities. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as VA did not obtain all requested private treatment records.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there were material changes in the information provided by the supplemental statement of the case and that additional evidence indicated worsening of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, necessitating further examination and development.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back injury, T-11 fracture, Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 8, 2021
- Citation
- 21041323
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 21041323.
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 remands the claims for service connection for low back injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus to allow for further development of evidence.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for low back injury, groin injury, arthritis (claimed as rib cage injury), and left side nerve damage (claimed as side injury) due to a lack of evidence supporting the claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back disability may be related to his active service, but needs further evidence before a decision can be made.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back injury. The case is now remanded for further action, including obtaining a VA medical opinion.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.