The Board has denied the initial compensable rating for cervical and lumbar spine surgery scars, but has remanded the SMC claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance or housebound status.
The deciding factor: The VA examination in September 2015 did not provide sufficient information on whether the Veteran requires regular assistance from another person or if he is confined to his place of residence due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine surgery scars, lumbar spine surgery scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20010334
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20010334.
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.
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- Denied
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- Denied
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- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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