The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spondylosis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sore ribs, mild degenerative arthritis of the interphalangeal joints and metacarpophalangeal joints of the right hand, and a left hip disability to obtain adequate VA examinations and medical opinions.
The deciding factor: The September 2024 VA examiner's opinions are inadequate as they rely on the absence of treatment records without considering the Veteran's reports and do not address his assertions about in-service injuries or symptoms. There has been no substantial compliance with previous remand directives.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spondylosis (claimed as neck pain), degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine (claimed as back pain), sore ribs, mild degenerative arthritis of the interphalangeal joints and metacarpophalangeal joints of the right hand (claimed as a right hand disability), left hip disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 17, 2025
- Citation
- 25005204
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal regarding the proposed reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was dismissed as it was not a final decision. The Board also remanded the claim for service connection for a left hip disability due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions and a TDIU, as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these disabilities were related to the Veteran's military service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids, scars, low back disability, left ankle disability, left and right shoulder disabilities, and left and right hip disabilities as the evidence did not show that the Veteran had these conditions or related symptoms during the appeal period.
- Partly granted
The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied, except for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability which were granted. The veteran was also granted service connection for hypertension.
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