The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current low back disorders, which include degenerative arthritis of the spine, spinal stenosis, and spondylosis of the lower back.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the previous VA examiner's opinion was inadequate due to not considering the September 1993 and June 1995 service treatment records and the lay statements regarding the onset and continuity of symptomatology. The examiner also misstated the requirements for establishing direct service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the spine, Spinal stenosis, Spondylosis of the lower back
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 13, 2022
- Citation
- 22001991
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 22001991.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 50 percent effective February 13, 2021. His left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 80 percent from April 21, 2013 to February 12, 2021. The Veteran's TDIU claim has an earlier effective date of April 21, 2013.
- Granted
The Veteran's back condition is granted an increased disability rating of 40 percent, but no higher. The claims for service connection for LLE and RLE radiculopathies are remanded.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities on a direct basis, finding that these conditions began during active service.
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