The Board has denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and remanded the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disability other than pes planus (hallux valgus and degenerative joint disease), and individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no direct evidence linking the Veteran's current cervical spine disability to his active service, nor did it establish a continuity of symptomatology following service. For the lumbar spine and bilateral foot disabilities, the Board relied on the lack of in-service medical records and the absence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine disability, Lumbar spine disability, Bilateral foot disability other than pes planus (hallux valgus and degenerative joint disease), Total disability rating based on individual unemployability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 19, 2023
- Citation
- 23051547
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 23051547.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for brain cancer, low back disability, and cervical spine disability due to a pre-decisional error in failing to obtain a radiation dose estimate from the Under Secretary for Health. The Veteran's military service aboard USS ENTERPRISE is considered relevant to his exposure to ionizing radiation.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine condition had its onset in service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, upper extremity neurological, and lower extremity neurological disabilities due to inadequate VA medical examinations in March 2019 and January-May 2016. The new examinations must consider the Veteran's reported onset dates for his symptoms.
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