The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disability and has granted ratings for the low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The rating for the low back disability is being remanded to determine if a higher rating should be assigned prior to April 12, 2019.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine or symptoms more nearly approximating unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Respiratory disability, Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with retrolisthesis and degenerative disc disease (low back disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 17, 2021
- Citation
- 21008602
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 21008602.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disability and a left shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service event or injury resulting in these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for PTSD, CFS, and a respiratory disability. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran's respiratory disability claim is being returned for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for a more detailed medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran requires personal care services, supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury, and needs regular extensive instruction or supervision.
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