The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depression) and rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder impingement syndrome, post-operative.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is at least as likely as not related to his active service. The Board found that the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran’s thoracolumbar spine disability symptomatology began in service and he is competent to report what he has experienced through his senses.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar spine disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depression)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19179780
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and a left shoulder disability as the evidence did not support that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an earlier effective date for the Veteran's award of service-connected compensation for headaches and remanded claims for increased rating, service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for chronic sinusitis, fibromyalgia, and CFS. The Veteran's hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy, shoulder disability, knee meniscal tear, knee limitation of extension, knee scars, GERD, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and PTSD were also not rated higher than their current levels.
- Granted
The Board granted the restoration of a 30 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy effective June 26, 2023, as the reduction was improper.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.