The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions and development of the claims file. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a spine disability, including spondylolisthesis, pelvic girdle dysfunction, and degenerative disc disorder, is pending.
The deciding factor: The VA opinion obtained in July 2012 was found to be inadequate as it did not provide the correct standard of proof regarding aggravation by service. The case must be remanded for a new opinion on whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's preexisting spondylosis and spondylolisthesis were aggravated by his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylolisthesis, pelvic girdle dysfunction, degenerative disc disorder
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 26, 2013
- Citation
- 1327180
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 1327180.
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 Board has granted service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and the need for additional medical evidence. The Veteran's lower back disability, including lumbar strain and spondylolisthesis, is being reviewed again.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a back condition, including spondylolisthesis, as the evidence did not show permanent aggravation of the preexisting condition during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for his back disability is being reviewed.
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