The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for low back disability to include cauda equina syndrome with bladder dysfunction, which he claims was caused by VA surgeries in June 1997 and August 2001. The Board has determined that a new examination and medical opinion are needed to determine if the veteran's additional disabilities were proximately caused by these surgeries.
The deciding factor: The claim requires clarification on whether the additional disabilities, including bladder dysfunction requiring self-catheterization, were proximately caused by the VA surgeries in June 1997 and August 2001.
- Claimed conditions
- cauda equina syndrome, bladder dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 20, 2008
- Citation
- 0805685
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 0805685.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with spinal fusion and cauda equina syndrome due to outstanding federal records from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Social Security Administration (SSA).
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for a TDIU prior to October 28, 2014 and temporary total evaluation for thoracolumbar spine disability were denied. Claims for evaluations in excess of the current ratings for bowel disability (from February 4, 2015 to May 18, 2024) and bladder dysfunction (from February 4, 2015 to April 18, 2024) are also denied.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to January 30, 2018 is dismissed as the Board has already granted TDIU from April 29, 2015 based on the earliest possible effective date.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted a 60 percent disability rating for aphonia, restored the 60 percent rating for bladder dysfunction, and denied SMC based on loss of use of the right upper extremity.
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