The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for straightening of the normal cervical lordosis and spondylitic myelopathy, as well as secondary service connection for cervical stenosis. The Board also finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's COPD was related to his in-service exposure to smoke fumes while serving as a firefighter.
The deciding factor: The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions and the need for further medical evaluation to address the Veteran's service connection claims.
- Claimed conditions
- straightening of the normal cervical lordosis, spondylitic myelopathy, cervical stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 7, 2018
- Citation
- 18124566
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 18124566.
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 is granted an effective date of June 22, 2019 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cervical stenosis is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it began in service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for cervical stenosis was previously granted, and this appeal is dismissed.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and missing SSA records. The Veteran's cervical spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, and cervical stenosis are being reviewed for service connection.
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