The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds, to the right side of back with degenerative changes of thoracic spine is remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination and the need for further medical assessment.
The deciding factor: The current severity and manifestations of the Veteran’s disability require a new examination to be assessed accurately.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of shell fragment wounds, degenerative changes of thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18129634
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 18129634.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for hypertension was granted, as new and material evidence has been received. The condition is now claimed as secondary to kidney, colon, and/or prostate cancer.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction was granted, as new and material evidence has been received. The condition is now claimed as secondary to kidney, colon, and/or prostate cancer.
- Denied
The Veteran's disability rating for residuals of shell fragment wounds, left chest thoracotomy and restrictive pulmonary disease with scar was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 1, 2010.,The Veteran's disability rating for residuals of shell fragment wounds, left chest thoracotomy and restrictive pulmonary disease with scar was also denied after March 1, 2010, as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent, prior to March 1, 2010, and 60 percent thereafter for residuals of shell fragment wounds, left chest thoracotomy and restrictive pulmonary disease with scar is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.
- Granted
The Board has determined that service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted, with ischemic heart disease being presumed due to herbicide exposure during service.
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