The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder has been reopened, and the appeal is granted to that extent. The Board finds new and material evidence has been submitted since the last denial in March 1992. However, the issue of remanding the case for further development remains pending due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection and a VA examination to determine the current severity of his right ankle strain.
The deciding factor: New and material evidence has been submitted, but the claim is still pending as more information is needed from medical sources to make a determination on service connection and rating issues.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral spine disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 3, 2022
- Citation
- 22006303
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 22006303.
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 has determined that there were duty to assist errors for the issues on appeal and remanded the case. The Veteran is required to report for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetes mellitus, lumbosacral spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left ankle disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection. The underlying merits of the claims must be addressed by the AOJ in the first instance, including any additional development that may be warranted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, lumbosacral spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right hip disorder with associated right lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues are being remanded for further development.
- Granted
The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and lumbosacral spine disorder have been granted service connection, with the Board finding that these conditions are directly related to his active duty service.
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