The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was denied. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to grant service connection for fibromyalgia as secondary to his back disability, and remanded this issue for further development.
The deciding factor: The examiner must consider whether the Veteran's symptoms are consistent with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia based on 'evidence of multiple tender points' found in his Social Security Administration records, despite not having a formal diagnosis from VA medical providers.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint and Disc Disease of the Thoracolumbar Spine, Fibromyalgia
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 11, 2019
- Citation
- 19153587
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 19153587.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for additional development, including obtaining a new examination and further developing evidence related to toxic exposure during service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including PTSD, IBS, cardiac arrhythmia, CFS, chronic headaches, chronic sinusitis, dyspnea, and fibromyalgia. The claim for bilateral pes planus was remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD and denied an earlier effective date. The claims for service connection for various conditions were remanded.
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.