The Board has found that additional development is necessary due to outstanding SSA records and a need for more recent VA examinations. The case is being remanded for these purposes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim requires further evidence, specifically from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and a more recent VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities' impact on employment.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical sprain with degenerative disc disease, right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with secondary alcohol dependence
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 2, 2020
- Citation
- 20000003
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.
- Partly granted
The Board restored the 50% rating for cervicogenic headaches and the 40% rating for right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, effective February 1, 2025, as the reductions were not proper. The reduction of the left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy to 0% was upheld.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and generalized anxiety disorder to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound status due to a lack of evidence showing that her service-connected disabilities rendered her in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for service-connected right and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent.
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