The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is related to service, including repetitive strain during service.
The deciding factor: The opinion provided by the VA examiner was inadequate and unclear, thus requiring further examination and an updated medical opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 25, 2024
- Citation
- A24078076
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 A24078076.
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 Veteran's cervical spine disability, rated at 20 percent since December 4, 2019, is found to be less than the required for a higher rating due to limited range of motion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several claims due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's disabilities, including their relationship to service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of June 29, 2023 for the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome and radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve.
- Granted
The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, which include degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, tinnitus, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, left sciatic radiculopathy, reactive airway disease, a right knee baker's cyst, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, left inguinal herniorrhaphy, and chronic maxillary sinusitis. The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for eligibility to individual unemployability.
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