The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional VA treatment records, schedule examinations for PTSD, migraine and mixed muscle contraction type headaches, DDD of the lumbosacral spine, and radiculopathy, and to provide an examination regarding the nature and etiology of any cervical spine disability.
The deciding factor: The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The case is REMANDED as there are outstanding VA treatment records that have not yet been considered by the RO, and additional examinations are needed for PTSD, migraine and mixed muscle contraction type headaches, DDD of the lumbosacral spine, and radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine disability, PTSD, Migraine and mixed muscle contraction type headaches, DDD of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20007549
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 service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder, as well as presumptive service connection for basal cell carcinoma under the PACT Act. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, left restless leg syndrome, an increased rating for psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a left forehead surgical scar, and allergic rhinitis.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
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