The Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracic and lumbar spine scoliosis (low back disability) has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for joint pain is also remanded as he did not undergo a VA examination regarding his exposure at Camp Lejeune.
The deciding factor: The claims are being remanded because there is insufficient evidence to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, particularly due to lack of medical opinions addressing service connection for joint pain related to Camp Lejeune water contamination.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracic and lumbar spine scoliosis (low back disability), joint pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 7, 2019
- Citation
- 19184591
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case to obtain a more comprehensive medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's joint pain, particularly addressing his reported symptoms and exposure during Gulf War service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent rating for asthma but denied all other claims, including service connection for various conditions and a compensable rating for scars between the scapulae.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a right leg condition, sinusitis, lower back condition, and joint pain as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for hemorrhoids and denied service connection for a back disability, joint pain, migraines, and a skin condition. All other claims were remanded.
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