The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy, left wrist and right wrist avascular necrosis, as well as a higher rating for his cervical spine disability. The appeal also includes an issue regarding TDIU.,The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, and avascular necrosis of both wrists. He also requests a higher initial rating for his right ankle disability and entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.,,,The Veteran seeks service connection for avascular necrosis of the right wrist due to service-connected right ankle disability. The appeal includes an issue regarding TDIU.,,,
The deciding factor: The Board finds that additional development is needed as per Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016), to ensure a complete record and proper evaluation of the Veteran's claims.,The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the bilateral wrist disabilities and whether any current left ankle disability is related to service-connected right ankle disability.,,,The Board finds that an examination is necessary to assess the relationship between avascular necrosis of the right wrist and service-connected right ankle disability, as well as determine if there is aggravation of the left ankle disability due to service-connected right ankle disability.,,,
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremities, Degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, Avascular necrosis of the right wrist, Avascular necrosis of the left wrist
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 6, 2017
- Citation
- 1744621
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 1744621.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine and right hip disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The effective date for DEA benefits is granted as May 1, 2014.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for his back disability is denied. The effective date remains March 29, 2021, as the earliest date of claim. An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the back disability from March 29, 2021, is also denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability and right leg radiculopathy are granted service connection, but left leg radiculopathy is denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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