The Veteran's claim for service connection of spondylolysis, numbness/pain in the right leg, numbness/pain in the left leg, and an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding the relationship between these conditions and his military service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that a VA examination should be conducted to determine if the Veteran's spondylolysis clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and whether it was aggravated by an in-service injury, including a slip and fall incident. The other issues are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the service connection of spondylolysis.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylolysis, numbness/pain in the right leg, numbness/pain in the left leg, an acquired psychiatric disorder
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20001114
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 claim for a VA examination and additional evidence development to determine if there is a nexus between any lower back disability and the Veteran's active service.
- Denied
Service connection for sleep apnea was denied because the evidence did not show a relationship to service. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for spondylolysis was also denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of STRs and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD stemming from a sexual assault in service, needs further development due to incomplete records and issues related to verifying the stressor.
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