The Board has found that further development is needed for VA to fulfill its duties mandated under the VCAA. The case is REMANDED for the following actions: (1) Obtain all available treatment records from Dr. Qureshi at Arkansas Spine and Pain, as well as any updated VA treatment records since October 2011; (2) Arrange for a spine examination of the Veteran to ascertain the nature and likely etiology of any current back disability; (3) Ensure that all development sought is completed, review the record, readjudicate the claims, and issue an appropriate supplemental statement of the case if necessary.
The deciding factor: The Board has found that new evidence received since the June 2006 rating decision suggests a current diagnosis of a back disability. This evidence relates to an unestablished fact (current diagnosis) necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for a back disability and raises a reasonable possibility of establishing such claim.
- Claimed conditions
- back disability, Achilles tendonitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 19, 2016
- Citation
- 1620426
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 1620426.
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: Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, endometriosis, thyroid condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are now considered on their merits.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for additional VA examination. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again with new evidence.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, hip, and lower extremity disabilities due to a lack of VA examination and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's current diagnoses and lay statements will be considered in determining if his conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the colon is granted as secondary to his service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder to include alcohol use disorder. The back disability claim is remanded for further development.
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