The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for thoracic and cervical spine diseases, as well as a need to obtain Social Security Administration records.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not address whether the veteran's current thoracic and cervical spine disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disorder and mechanical back syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracic disc disease, cervical spine disc disease
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 27, 2008
- Citation
- 0829216
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0829216.
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The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran, and therefore, it is dismissed.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for an upper back condition, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine disc disease, finding that his current disability is the result of an in-service injury and resolving all doubts in his favor.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to physical and mental impairments, which has been granted for special monthly compensation.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.