The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding service connection for back conditions, including aggravation of congenital scoliosis/kyphosis.
The deciding factor: The examiner is required to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing congenital scoliosis was aggravated by military service and whether any other back conditions were caused or worsened during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Congenital scoliosis/kyphosis, Lumbosacral sprain/strain, Mechanical back syndrome, Facet joint arthropathy, Degenerative disc disease (DDD), Intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), Foraminal lateral recess central stenosis, Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 12, 2022
- Citation
- 22051893
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 22051893.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is being remanded due to an error in the initial decision process. The AOJ needs to provide notice of his right to a hearing before issuing a final decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and other disabilities have been granted, including a TDIU based on his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar disorder, diagnosed as DDD and a lumbosacral strain, has been granted service connection. The Board found that the disability is related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service and concluding that his current disabilities are more likely related to an in-service injury than to his military service.
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