The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and its associated radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to insufficient review of his medical records and lack of supporting rationale in the previous examination.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not review all relevant medical records, including those from Dr. Kinoher, and provided an inadequate opinion without sufficient rationale.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, Radiculopathy, right lower extremity, Radiculopathy, left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19173447
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 19173447.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed as a matter of law due to a full grant of benefits. The appeals for left knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar disability and associated radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves are granted with effective dates from June 30, 2010. A 40% rating is assigned for the lumbar disability.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating is denied. The Veteran's degenerative osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, diabetic nephropathy chronic kidney disease, right great toe bunion and gout, and TDIU are all granted.
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