The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions in the December 2020 VA examination reports. The Veteran's back disorder and bilateral upper extremity (BUE) disorder are both being reviewed.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the addendum opinions were insufficient and needed to be provided by a different examiner who must consider all relevant evidence, including lay statements of record indicating persistent symptoms since service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine herniated nucleus pulposus, bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 13, 2021
- Citation
- 21029442
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 21029442.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches secondary to service-connected sinusitis associated with service-connected rhinitis and remanded the remaining issues for further development.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome. The conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's discharge from active duty service was due to a service-connected disability, and he is now eligible for the maximum educational assistance benefits rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment prior to February 20, 2014.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.