The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran is also facing issues related to a TDIU, DEA benefits, and SMC at the housebound rate.
The deciding factor: Additional medical examination is required to provide informed opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine DJD/DDD and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Cervical spine degenerative joint/disc disease (DJD/DDD)","issues_on_appeal":["Initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent from February 12, 2009 to December 4, 2017","Initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent from December 5, 2017"]}, {"condition_name":"Left upper extremity (LUE) radiculopathy","issues_on_appeal":["Initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent"]}, {"condition_name":"Right upper extremity (RUE) radiculopathy","issues_on_appeal":["Initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent"]}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19180497
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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