The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the March 2014 VA examination report and the Veteran's need to obtain medical records from a neurosurgeon at Memorial Hospital.
The deciding factor: There are internal inconsistencies in the March 2014 VA examination report regarding incapacitating episodes of back pain, which require clarification.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar degenerative joint and disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 19, 2014
- Citation
- 1437176
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 1437176.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, and his claim for service connection was remanded due to failure to report for VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to address the Veteran's claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for service connection awards and related benefits. The Board finds that additional evidence should be sought to support her claims.
- Granted
The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative joint and disc disease is granted a 40% evaluation, effective February 2, 2010. The left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the back condition remains at a 20% evaluation.
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.