The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a hernia and an increased rating for his back disability due to incomplete examinations and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran is also seeking clarification on the propriety of the separate rating associated with his LLE radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: Incomplete examination findings and conflicting medical opinions regarding the presence and etiology of the Veteran's hernia, as well as the severity of his back disability during flare-ups.
- Claimed conditions
- Hernia, Lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease (DDD), and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 4, 2023
- Citation
- 23043121
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 23043121.
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 remanded the case due to procedural issues and a need for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E services as his vocational goal of becoming a scuba instructor was not reasonably feasible due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hernia is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that tends to prove or disprove a matter at issue in the claim.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with other disabilities, does not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status.
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