The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and evaluation, including determining whether the veteran's congenital deformity was aggravated by service and if any current neck or back disabilities are separate from his congenital condition.
The deciding factor: The Board found that an orthopedic examination is needed to determine whether the veteran's congenital defect of the cervical spine was aggravated in service through superimposed injury, and whether any current diagnoses separate and distinct from any congenital condition were incurred during active service.
- Claimed conditions
- Klippel-Feil syndrome, cervical muscle strain
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 18, 2007
- Citation
- 0721566
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0721566.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 26, 2020. The decision was based on evidence showing the veteran could perform sedentary work and was gainfully employed until October 31, 2014.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's request to revise a 1996 rating decision that denied service connection for Klippel-Feil syndrome based on clear and unmistakable error. The Board found no error in the original decision.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathies, and mechanical low back strain have been denied. The VA has provided multiple remands to gather additional evidence and conduct examinations.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 20 percent rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability, effective June 21, 2017. The higher than 20 percent and compensable ratings for restrictive lung disease and tension headaches remain denied.
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