The Board remands the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for a low back disability to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the condition, specifically focusing on the dates of diagnosis for ankylosing spondylitis and spinal stenosis.
The deciding factor: The February 2024 VA examination is found incomplete due to lack of consideration of relevant medical records, necessitating a new examination to properly determine the date of onset of certain diagnoses.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disability (ankylosing spondylitis, degenerative arthritis, sacroiliac injury, spinal stenosis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 22, 2025
- Citation
- A25036718
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 appeal seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, degenerative arthritis, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension was dismissed due to non-compliance with claims processing rules.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining outstanding Social Security Administration records.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a right foot disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, fibrocartilaginous calcaneonavicular with lateral cuneiform cuboid coalition, other unspecified right ankle disorder, and status post right foot fracture.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on either incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis.
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.