The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be examined by an orthopedic specialist, specifically one who specializes in the spine. The examination should assess whether his low back disorders are related to service or due to his right knee disability.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on the need for a medical opinion addressing both direct service connection and secondary service connection theories of entitlement.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), lumbar spine stenosis with lumbar radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 7, 2023
- Citation
- 23037710
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 23037710.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective dates for the increased 40 percent rating for service-connected lumbar degenerative arthritis with IVDS and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, resulting in their dismissal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA did not obtain all relevant medical records and failed to provide an adequate VA examination for the Veteran's lumbar spine and right hip conditions. The claims are being remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and a need for an in-person examination.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.
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