The Board has determined that the issues of increased ratings for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as upper extremity radiculopathy, are part and parcel of the Veteran's claims. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and opinions.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations conducted thus far have not provided sufficient information regarding the severity of the Veteran’s cervical spine and lumbar spine scars, as well as his upper extremity radiculopathy. Additionally, there are outstanding private treatment records that need to be obtained.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Cervical Spine Scars"}, {"condition_name":"Lumbar Spine Scar"}, {"condition_name":"Left Upper Extremity Radiculopathy"}, {"condition_name":"Right Upper Extremity Radiculopathy"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20081324
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 obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.