Citation Nr: 23019441 Decision Date: 03/29/23 Archive Date: 03/29/23 DOCKET NO. 18-43 688 DATE: March 29, 2023 REMANDED The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for a back disability is remanded. REASON FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service from January 2003 to December 2005. A Board decision in February 2020 remanded issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a rating in excess of 20 percent for a back disability for further development. A July 2020 rating decision granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which is considered as a full grant of the benefit. Therefore, this issue no longer before the Board. A Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) dated July 2020 denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for a back disability. Subsequently, new medical evidence (to include VA treatment records) was associated with the claims file and no subsequent SSOC was provided by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ). On February 8, 2023, the Board sent a letter to the Veteran, asking if the Veteran would like to waive the AOJ review of the new evidence, and informing him that if the Board has not heard from him or his representative within 45 days of the date of the letter, the Board would remand the appeal to the AOJ for review. As of the date of this decision, the Board has not heard from the Veteran or his representative, and more than 45 days has elapsed since the Board letter was sent. Accordingly, a remand is warranted. Therefore, the matters are REMANDED for the following action: Consider the new evidence and issue a SSOC on the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for a back disability. MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Q. Wang, Associate Counsel The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.