The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc/bone disease and spinal stenosis have been remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The examiner is requested to determine if these conditions are related to military service, including exposure at Camp Lejeune.
The deciding factor: The Board found that a VA examination was needed as the Veteran's lay statements about his back condition beginning shortly after service and being linked to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune triggered VA's duty to assist.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc/bone disease, Spinal stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20067802
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a neck injury, including degenerative arthritis, IVDS, spinal stenosis, and history of spinal fusion, based on the evidence showing chronicity since service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 25, 2025 for the award of service connection for degenerative disc disease thoracolumbar spine with degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, and levoscoliosis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to a cervical spine disability due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a back condition to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining an appropriate medical examination and associated opinion.
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