The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran failed to attend the previously scheduled VA examinations, and the Board needs to ensure compliance with its previous instructions regarding notification of these examinations.
- Claimed conditions
- ankylosing spondylitis of the right shoulder, ankylosing spondylitis of the left shoulder, ankylosing spondylitis of the left hip, ankylosing spondylitis of the right hip, thoracolumbar spine disability (low back disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 28, 2016
- Citation
- 1630279
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 1630279.
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 Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities, including hypothyroidism with bradycardia, depression with a mood disorder, thoracolumbar spine strain with ankylosing spondylitis, and other conditions. The Board has determined that she meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected ankylosing spondylitis of the left knee, right elbow, and right shoulder are being remanded due to inadequate examination records and need for updated VA treatment records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's appeal involves issues related to increased ratings for ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine and left hip, as well as a request for an effective date prior to August 5, 2002, for the grant of TDIU. The case is being remanded due to procedural errors.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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.