The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service. The Veteran contends that his condition was caused by an in-service incident, but a VA examiner found no documentation of injury or illness in the service medical records. The Board finds this inadequate and requests an addendum opinion.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not sufficiently support a finding that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service due to insufficient documentation in his service treatment records.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disability with right lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 31, 2022
- Citation
- 22004958
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 22004958.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol and cocaine abuse rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment prior to February 11, 2020. The Board granted his claim for a TDIU.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disability with right lower extremity radiculopathy and restless leg syndrome due to lack of STRs, intercurrent causation, and possible VA medical records not being available.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability with right lower extremity radiculopathy and neck disability are service connected. The issues of reopening the claim for a low back disability and granting service connection for a neck disability have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of heart palpitations with angina and epilepsy due to his withdrawal of these claims. The Veteran is granted special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance.
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