The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability, including scoliosis, spinal bifida, and degenerative disc disease. The issues of service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy and/or radiculopathy and left lower extremity neuropathy and/or radiculopathy are also remanded due to new evidence received since the July 2014 rating decision.
The deciding factor: New evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for service connection for a low back disability, including scoliosis, spinal bifida, and degenerative disc disease. The issues of right lower extremity neuropathy and/or radiculopathy and left lower extremity neuropathy and/or radiculopathy are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for a low back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- scoliosis, spinal bifida, degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 9, 2023
- Citation
- 23060428
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 23060428.
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 the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, including degenerative disc disease and scoliosis, due to lack of current disability evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to the Veteran's lower back condition and surgical scars are inadequate, necessitating a remand for further evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding inadequate medical opinions due to failure to consider all relevant evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to predecisional duty-to-assist errors, including inadequate medical opinions and missed VA examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is being returned to the RO for further action.
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