The Board has found that the Veteran's statements regarding an in-service injury are competent and credible. However, the VA examiner did not provide a sufficient opinion on the etiology of his current disability. The case is therefore remanded for another examination to determine if there is any link between the Veteran's current condition and service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the January 2014 VA examination was inadequate due to lack of an adequate opinion and rationale, and thus a new examination is necessary.
- Claimed conditions
- muscular pain, decreased motion of the lumbar and/or thoracic region
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 23, 2018
- Citation
- 18129145
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 18129145.
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: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of muscular pain and joint discomfort due to withdrawal by the Veteran's authorized representative.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being remanded back to the RO for a physical examination and other necessary actions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The veteran's migratory joint pain, muscular pain, and headaches are all found to be related to his service in the Gulf War. The claims for these conditions have been granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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