The Veteran's cervical strain with DDD, lumbar strain with DDD, and left lower extremity atrophy are being remanded for further development as the VA examination is inadequate to address the etiology of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not adequately address the Veteran's theory of causation regarding his service-connected gunshot wound residuals leading to his claimed disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbar strain with DDD, left lower extremity atrophy
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 11, 2013
- Citation
- 1329044
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 1329044.
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 Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied due to untimely filing of the Board Appeal requests. The appeal was dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the service connection claims for various conditions due to an error in failing to develop the claim to consider the Veteran's assertions of toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) during his active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for left knee post traumatic arthritis with left femoral fracture, right distal tibial fracture, and cervical strain with DDD due to incomplete service records and inadequate VA examination opinions.
- Denied
The Veteran's hypertension, left knee arthralgia, right knee arthralgia, lumbar strain with DDD, and shoulder disabilities are not shown to be related to service.,Erectile dysfunction is not shown to be caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability.
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.