The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for a new VA examination.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on the need for additional evidence and clarification regarding the Veteran's service connection claim, specifically needing further investigation into his in-service motor vehicle accident and its potential impact on his current back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the spine, Stenosis, Lumbar arachnoiditis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19186821
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 degenerative disc disease of the spine, and osteoarthritis of the right shoulder and left shoulder based on evidence showing that these conditions had onset during active military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's cervical spine surgery in 2002 resulted in complications, including nerve damage affecting his neck and upper extremities. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an independent medical expert opinion regarding the cause of these additional disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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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.