The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a chronic lumbar strain (lumbar spine disability) can be finally adjudicated.
The deciding factor: Additional evidence and testing are needed to accurately assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbar strain (lumbar spine disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2024
- Citation
- 24011472
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 24011472.
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 insufficient information regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to December 19, 2013. A new VA examination is needed to estimate the additional functional loss during flare-ups.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability during a flare-up or after repetitive use over time.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his chronic lumbar strain (lumbar spine disability) is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition warrants a higher rating than the current 20 percent assigned since February 19, 2019.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically his range of motion and functional impairment during flare-ups.
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