The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature and etiology of his cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder and arm pain, numbness of the left pointer finger, right leg pain, and lumbar spine disability. The claims are also being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the existing evidence is insufficient to make an informed decision on the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete examinations and lack of adequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his disabilities. The Veteran also needs a new VA examination for his lumbar spine disability as it has worsened since the last examination.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine disability (claimed as herniated disc in neck), bilateral shoulder pain, bilateral arm pain, numbness of the left pointer finger, right leg disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18112938
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18112938.
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 Veteran's service connection claims for HTN, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, gout, and right leg disability are all granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining any necessary records.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right leg disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if any current left or right leg disabilities are related to active service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus is dismissed. Service connection for right knee disability as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus is granted, and the appeals for neck disability and right leg disability as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus are remanded.
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