The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected degenerative changes of the thoracic spine is being remanded due to the need for a new examination.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has not provided updated medical evidence and needs a current VA compensation and pension examination to determine the extent of his back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative changes of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 8, 2011
- Citation
- 1129166
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1129166.
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 decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to inadequate range of motion assessments in previous examinations.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of the assigned disability ratings have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for major depressive disorder.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, including degenerative changes of the thoracic spine, lumbar spondylosis, and lumbar spine DDD, had its onset in service and has been continuous since separation. Therefore, service connection is granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and impairment of the right lower extremity as a residual of epidural abscess of the thoracic spine are granted with specific ratings, while TDIU for the period from March 28, 2007 to April 13, 2007 is granted.
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