The Board remands the claims for a neck disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy to obtain an adequate VA examination.
The deciding factor: The November 2021 VA examinations are inadequate as they did not address all relevant theories of service connection, including direct service connection, aggravation by a service-connected disability, and the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service injury. The Board also found that the issues of entitlement to bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for a neck disability.
- Claimed conditions
- neck disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 24, 2025
- Citation
- A25054471
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA, but denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities to the AOJ for further development and consideration of evidence not previously considered.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy from April 3, 2023 onward, but denied higher ratings prior to that date. Service connection was also granted for alcohol use disorder as secondary to PTSD with traumatic brain injury.
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