The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine condition prior to January 23, 2015. The examiner was unable to provide specific additional range of motion loss during flare-ups or repeated use without an in-person examination.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the September 2021 addendum opinion did not comply with the requirements and needed to be supplemented by another retrospective opinion, possibly requiring an in-person examination.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease L5-S1, compression fracture T12, chronic sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 22, 2021
- Citation
- 21069921
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 21069921.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for his back disability from 40% to 20%, effective December 1, 2025, as the reduction was improper and void ab initio.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and remanded the issue of service connection for a traumatic brain injury.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain but has remanded the claim of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease L5-S1 due to insufficient evidence.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right ankle disability.
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