The Veteran's back and shoulder conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion as the VA examinations were inadequate.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not adequately address the Veteran’s contentions regarding his duties during service, which could impact the etiology of his back condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the spine (back condition), Shoulder disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2019
- Citation
- 19182554
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,011 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19182554.
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 Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected back condition was denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine during this portion of the appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and shoulder disorder due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on his in-service duties as a combat medic and licensed practical nurse.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for elbow surgery due to nerve damage, severe right leg pain causing inability to walk distances, bilateral foot pain and swelling, shoulder disorder, and low back disorder. The claims were remanded for further examination.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection for a shoulder disorder and entitlement to TDIU due to the need for additional medical opinions.
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.