The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including whether it is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner’s opinion was based on an incomplete record and did not address treatment prior to 2003. The Board finds this inadequate and requires a new examination to determine the etiology of the cervical spine disability, including its relationship to service and any aggravation by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19105386
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 Board granted service connection for residuals of a right knee meniscal tear to include degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's in-service injury led to his current condition.
- Granted
The Board granted an increased initial rating of 20 percent disabling for the Veteran's right shoulder, effective November 22, 2011.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and lumbosacral strain, based on the Veteran's consistent account of having low back problems since service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a right arm disability, diagnosed as right shoulder strain, tendinopathy, tendinosis, and degenerative joint disease, based on the evidence showing that these conditions initially manifested during service and continuously progressed and worsened after discharge.
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