The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for herniated disc; cervical spine, with degenerative disc disorder is granted. The Board finds that there is new and material evidence to support reopening of this claim. However, the claim remains remanded as further development is needed regarding both conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran submitted new medical records since the last final denial which tend to show a current disability for herniated disc; cervical spine, with degenerative disc disorder. The Board will therefore grant the reopening of this claim and address it again on its merits. However, further development is needed as there are gaps in the record regarding both conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- herniated disc; cervical spine, with degenerative disc disorder, anxiety (claimed as depression and PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19124588
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 631 · Granted: 21% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19124588.
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
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- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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