The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination of the Veteran's thoracic spine disability and the need for a supplemental VA medical opinion regarding her claimed conditions.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on the need for further evaluation and additional evidence, particularly from a rheumatologist or pain specialist.
- Claimed conditions
- intercostal neuritis, spondylosis of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18118849
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 18118849.
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 Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and restored the Veteran's rating for spondylosis of the thoracic spine.
- Granted
The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted a separate rating as secondary to her service-connected spondylosis of the thoracic spine. The cervical and thoracic spine conditions are remanded for further evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's thoracic and lumbar spine conditions are remanded for additional examinations to address the severity of his disability, including range of motion and flare-ups.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing at his local RO for all issues listed.
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.