The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome with sciatic nerve involvement (previously rated as degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine and herniated nucleus pulposus and arthritis of the thoracic spine) prior to July 21, 2010 and 20 percent thereafter is being remanded for additional development.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim requires further examination and evidence to determine the current severity of his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with sciatic nerve involvement.
- Claimed conditions
- intervertebral disc syndrome with sciatic nerve involvement, degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, herniated nucleus pulposus and arthritis of the thoracic spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 4, 2014
- Citation
- 1404864
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 1404864.
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 the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no in-service disease or injury and that the current condition did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support a presumption of service connection.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial rating for the left shoulder disability was denied, and a higher initial rating of 20 percent was granted from March 10, 2015 to November 1, 2018. The Veteran's thoracic spine disability received an initial 10 percent rating, which remains unchanged.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and attempting to obtain SSA records.
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