The Veteran's claims for service connection and a higher disability evaluation for his service-connected spina bifida of the sacrum are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of medical opinions.
The deciding factor: The case is being remanded because there has been a material change in the Veteran's condition, specifically regarding his spine disability, warranting a new examination. Additionally, there is conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran's neurological manifestations are caused by or aggravated by his service-connected spina bifida.
- Claimed conditions
- spina bifida of the sacrum, neurological manifestations of the lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 1, 2013
- Citation
- 1314297
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 1314297.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected spina bifida of the sacrum is associated with neurological disease of the lower extremities, which has been granted as secondary to his service-connected condition. The Veteran also received a 20% rating for his service-connected spina bifida.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board previously denied a separate rating for neurological manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected mild neuroforaminal narrowing with disc bulge at L2-5. The case is being remanded to consider whether there are associated neurological deficits and if so, whether they are related to the service-connected condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
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