The Board remands the claims for initial compensable ratings in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively, for degenerative arthritis of the spine and left shoulder labral tear post-surgery to obtain further treatment records and a current VA examination.
The deciding factor: A remand is necessary due to the need for updated medical evidence and an assessment of the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the spine, claimed as lower thoracic back condition, Left shoulder labral tear post-surgery, claimed as chronic shoulder condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 3, 2024
- Citation
- 24000358
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and foraminal stenosis based on a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine to obtain a new medical opinion that considers an in-service injury after appropriate efforts are made to obtain the appellant's service treatment records.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral neuropathy below the hips, and a skin disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for further development and readjudication due to an incomplete medical nexus opinion.
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