The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for torticollis, SMC based on the Veteran's need for aid and attendance, and recognition of J.M. as the helpless child of the Veteran. The appeal is inextricably intertwined with the issue of claimant eligibility for substitution.
The deciding factor: The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the remand for an SOC regarding claimant eligibility for substitution.
- Claimed conditions
- torticollis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 2, 2018
- Citation
- 18123491
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 18123491.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The issues of entitlement to service connection for neck disability, torticollis, back disability, and essential tremors are now before the Board.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded another opportunity to undergo VA examinations for his service-connected cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities due to concerns related to the COVID pandemic. The claims for increased evaluations are subject to denial if the Veteran fails to appear for the scheduled examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his neck and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and sleep apnea are being remanded due to outstanding records not having been obtained. The Veteran's VA treatment records suggest there may be relevant private treatment records that have not been associated with the claims file.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for torticollis, claimed as secondary to a low back disability (spondylolisthesis L4-5 with degenerative disc disease), and denied entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the Veteran's need for aid and attendance.
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