The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion, and a need for further development including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion.
The deciding factor: The VA medical opinion relied on by the Board was based solely on the absence of documented injury during service without considering the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service injury and continuity of symptoms since then.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 22, 2021
- Citation
- 21016203
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21016203.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, cervical strain, plantar fasciitis, and hysterectomy are all found to be related to her service. The Board granted these claims based on direct service connection.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The veteran is granted a 20% rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of ratings in excess of 20 percent prior to June 4, 2020, for lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease and right rotator cuff strain are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty error regarding workers' compensation and Social Security Administration records related to the Veteran's back disability. The AOJ is required to obtain these records.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis due to service connection. The AOJ is required to obtain a medical opinion regarding direct service connection for these conditions.
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