The Board remands the matter to obtain a retrospective opinion on the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine condition prior to October 2018, as the previous VA examinations were found inadequate.
The deciding factor: The previous VA examinations did not adequately address the Veteran's flare-ups and functional loss during flare-ups or repeated use over time, and thus a retrospective opinion is needed to properly rate the disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Residual back injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 13, 2025
- Citation
- 25007966
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy and back injury, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.