The Board remands the claims for service connection for spinal stenosis with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and a skin condition, to include eczema, as there were errors in the duty to assist that need correction.
The deciding factor: The August 2021 VA opinions are found to be inadequate due to lack of consideration of lay evidence and STRs, thus remand is necessary for an addendum opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- spinal stenosis with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, skin condition, to include eczema
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 16, 2025
- Citation
- A25044283
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 Board denied service connection for a skin condition, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current skin conditions and his military service.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from a dermatologist or allergist regarding the nature and etiology of all skin conditions present during the pendency of the claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection of hepatitis C and conditions secondary to it, including bleeding hemorrhoids, bleeding ulcers, acute colitis, diverticulitis, inflamed rectal tissue, IBS, skin condition, tracheal burning with constant acid buildup, and urinary incontinence.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.