The Board has found that further development of the medical record is needed to properly consider the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability. The case is REMANDED for another examination and opinion addressing both theories of entitlement.
The deciding factor: The current medical opinions are inadequate as they do not address both theories of entitlement (direct service connection and secondary service connection) or account for all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's complaints of back pain in service and her current diagnoses.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar scoliosis, Rotational deformity of the lower lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 17, 2016
- Citation
- 1619970
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1619970.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with dissociative disorder, alcohol dependence, and cannabis abuse. The claims for sleep apnea or any other sleep disorder, obesity, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, hypertension, tension headaches, patellofemoral pain syndrome of both knees, thoracolumbar scoliosis, and upper back and neck pain were denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, finding that the conditions were not related to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's claim will be returned for another examination and an addendum opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar scoliosis, left hip condition, left foot condition, and migraines are all under review.
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