The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in prior examinations and new evidence suggesting that the Veteran's cervical spine disability may have worsened since his last examination. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the condition.
The deciding factor: The previous examinations were insufficient to determine the current extent of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, especially regarding functional loss during flare-ups and after repeated use over time.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine degenerative disk disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 13, 2021
- Citation
- 21029534
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 21029534.
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 increased disability ratings for the Veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease and cervical spine degenerative disk disease, as the criteria for higher ratings were not met.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for eligibility to direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a November 2020 Rating Decision as the appellant withdrew his Notice of Disagreement.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that her combined rating of 70% or more makes it at least as likely as not that she is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial ratings for chronic sinusitis/rhinitis, left shoulder impingement syndrome, cervical spine degenerative disk disease, and left upper extremity radiculopathy were granted. The rating for anterior neck scar was also granted but with no assigned percentage or effective date.
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