The Veteran's spine disorder is remanded due to the VA examiner finding that it pre-existed service. The Board requests a new examination and opinion from a similarly-qualified examiner or a VA spine examination.
The deciding factor: The examiner found that the Veteran’s spine disorder pre-existed service, which is contrary to the presumption of soundness at entry into service.
- Claimed conditions
- spine disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18122158
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 18122158.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was submitted to warrant readjudicating the claims for service connection for a spine disorder, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The appeal is granted to this extent only.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disorders, including a left elbow disorder, spine disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus, to schedule VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his weight gain and if that contributed to his sleep apnea.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a spine disorder and bilateral ankle disorders are denied.,For the claim of service connection for a bilateral hand disorder, there is an inadequacy in the etiological opinion denying the claim. The claim will be remanded.
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