The Veteran's claim for service connection for back spasms is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine the etiology of his back spasms and evaluate his thoracotomy residuals.
The deciding factor: New evidence submitted by the Veteran suggests that his back spasms may be related to his service-connected thoracotomy. The Board finds a need for further examination to clarify the nature and extent of his postoperative residuals and determine the etiology of his back spasms.
- Claimed conditions
- back spasms, chronic costochondritis, spontaneous pneumothorax, status post thoracotomy
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 5, 2018
- Citation
- 18131884
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 18131884.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for sarcoidosis, unilateral complete paralysis of vocal cords, and spontaneous pneumothorax are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. A VA examination is needed to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's sarcoidosis.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's back spasms are granted as secondary to his service-connected left and right knee conditions, and he is awarded a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back spasms, confusion/memory loss, depression, fatty tumors on back, and head injury as there is no current diagnosis or in-service event to support these conditions.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for chronic costochondritis and tinnitus, but remanded the claim for sleep apnea.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.