The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in its previous decision, specifically regarding a VA examination report from April 2018. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the April 2018 VA examination report was not adequate in light of CAVC’s holding in Sharp v. Shulkin, 29 Vet. App. 26 (2017).
- Claimed conditions
- cervical strain with degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20027412
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 20027412.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for an earlier effective date for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and increased ratings for thoracic strain and cervical strain with degenerative joint disease have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed these appeals.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain with degenerative joint disease and lumbar strain with unfused apophysis at L-4 and degenerative joint disease are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during service and has continued since then.,Service connection for bacterial sinusitis with rhinitis is granted, as the evidence is at least in equipoise that it began during service.,Right knee osteoarthritis is granted on reopening of a previously denied claim.,Migraine headaches are granted on reopening of a previously denied claim.,Bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted on reopening of a previously denied claim.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is established as the evidence supports its onset during service.,Cervical strain with degenerative joint disease is found to be related to service.,Lumbosacral strain with thoracolumbar spine osteoarthritis is found to be related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain with degenerative joint disease and associated radiculopathy of the upper extremities are being remanded for further evaluation.
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