The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic low back disability and CTS of the right wrist should be remanded to obtain addendum opinions addressing the likelihood of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinions were inadequate as they did not include discussion of the September 2005 nexus opinions from Dr. V., nor addressed whether the Veteran's pre-existing congenital lumbar scoliosis was aggravated by service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD), Degenerative joint disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 26, 2011
- Citation
- 1127823
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 1127823.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and other disabilities have been granted, including a TDIU based on his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar disorder, diagnosed as DDD and a lumbosacral strain, has been granted service connection. The Board found that the disability is related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and a need for additional secondary service connection analysis.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD was granted effective August 29, 2022. Service connection was established for vitreous syneresis / vitreous floaters of both eyes. The claims for service connection for refractive error of both eyes (myopia and astigmatism), bilateral hearing loss disability, residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) were all denied.
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