The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected postoperative residuals of an L4-5 herniation is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of all relevant medical evidence.
The deciding factor: The decision was not clear on how the veteran's symptoms affect the relevant diagnostic codes and ratings considered. The examiner must also address any limitations in motion caused by pain, weakened movement, excess fatigability, lack of coordination, and additional limits during flare-ups.
- Claimed conditions
- postoperative residuals of an L4-5 herniation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 9, 2000
- Citation
- 0012251
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 0012251.
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
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding VA's failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination prior to the rating decision.
- Granted
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- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of his left foot, as there was no evidence showing that the service-connected conditions resulted in functional limitation equal to that of amputation of the left foot with prosthesis.
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