The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability and an award of a higher rating for his cervical spine disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has provided new evidence suggesting that his current symptoms may be functionally equivalent to ankylosis, which requires further evaluation to determine if this is the case.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 14, 2023
- Citation
- 23066128
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 23066128.
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 Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received with respect to all the service connection claims on appeal. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, cervical spine, lumbar spine disability (including IVDS), right ankle, and right knee based on the evidence of record.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as it was fully addressed in a previous decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine and radiculopathy disabilities render him incapable of performing the activities of daily living such that he requires care or assistance on a regular basis, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.
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