The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, but the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorders and neurological disorders of the lower extremities remain pending. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence received since the July 1993 rating decision includes a December 2016 VA treatment record noting chronic neck pain with radicular symptoms, which relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim for service connection. The Board is reopening the claim but remanding it due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the lumbar spine disorders and neurological disorders of the lower extremities.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, neurological disorder of the left lower extremity, neurological disorder of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 24, 2018
- Citation
- 18129486
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 18129486.
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 Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip and lower extremity disorders, including as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further action.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and authorization for private treatment providers. The issues include heart disorder, OSA, sinusitis, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder all related to Agent Orange exposure.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, but denied his claim for right knee disorder. The Board also remanded the cases of left leg disorder and lumbar spine disorder.
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