The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, to include degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis/spondylolisthesis due to an inadequate VA etiology opinion.
The deciding factor: The December 2020 VA etiology opinion is based on inaccurate factual premises and does not adequately address the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset and continuity of his symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis/spondylolisthesis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 7, 2025
- Citation
- A25041434
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 Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) from November 5, 2008, to October 18, 2011, from January 1, 2012, to October 23, 2012, from February 1, 2013, to February 23, 2014, and from April 1, 2015, to March 10, 2024.
- Granted
The Board granted the appeal concerning the timeliness of the May 2023 VA Form 10182 Board Appeal/NOD.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal and is satisfied with their current 100% rating. The Board dismissed all issues on appeal.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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