The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with prior remand orders regarding a retrospective medical opinion on functional impairment of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the prior VA examinations did not include an analysis as required by Correia v. MacDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016), and thus remanded for a retrospective opinion to ensure substantial compliance with the June 2017 and January 2019 remand orders.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar facet atrophy, sacroiliitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 17, 2022
- Citation
- 22069770
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 22069770.
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 a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, specifically addressing whether there was aggravation during service and if the lumbar spondylosis, lumbar radiculopathy, sacroiliitis, and failed back surgery syndrome had onset in service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current back disability and her military service, specifically the in-service acute back pain.
- Granted
The Veteran's disability rating for her service-connected lumbar spine disability is restored to 40 percent effective April 1, 2025. The remaining issues of increased ratings are remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including a back condition, sacroiliitis, and degenerative arthritis in various joints.
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.