The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability is remanded due to the need for additional examination and testing.
The deciding factor: The current VA examination report did not include all required range of motion testing, including active and passive motion in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing scenarios. The examiner also failed to elicit information about flare-ups or functional impairment during flares.
- Claimed conditions
- neck muscle strain, mild degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 30, 2018
- Citation
- 18130951
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 18130951.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck muscle strain is related to her military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected neck muscle strain and remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for thoracolumbar scoliosis with degenerative changes and IVDS due to insufficient evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for mild degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The remaining claims for right carpal tunnel syndrome and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected Hashimoto's thyroiditis is granted a 60 percent rating, effective September 7, 2011. She also receives TDIU benefits.
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