The Veteran's service connection claim for a thoracolumbar spine disability is being reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling an addendum medical opinion from the January 2018 VA spine examiner.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service connection claim was previously denied but can be reopened with the submission of new and material evidence. The case must now be remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide a comprehensive medical opinion regarding whether her current thoracolumbar spine disability is secondary to or aggravated by her service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar spine disability (claimed as a back condition)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 27, 2022
- Citation
- 22042838
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 22042838.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
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