The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine conditions due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's service connection claim. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his neck and back issues, which he attributes to his military duties as a jet pilot.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not adequately consider the Veteran’s lay statements regarding his MOS and its impact on his spine conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Spine, Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19158533
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 19158533.
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: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right shoulder disability. Service connection is granted for OSA, left ankle, lumbar spine, and right hip disabilities. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and coronary artery disease are remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is not warranted for any period on appeal.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and associated bilateral lower radiculopathies have been found to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment for the duration of the period on appeal, leading to a TDIU. An effective date of May 18, 2007, is granted for DEA benefits based on permanent total disability due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's SMC at the (o) rate is granted as he requires aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
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.