The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for multi-level degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for retroactive opinions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the April 2017 VA examination was inadequate and required additional clarifying opinions regarding etiology, range of motion testing, functional loss, and ankylosis of the spine.
- Claimed conditions
- multi-level degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 31, 2018
- Citation
- 1806253
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 1806253.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy based on a direct link to the Veteran's military service.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not support an increase in severity of the preexisting conditions during service or a link to service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for initial ratings higher than the assigned percentages for service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine arthritis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the now service-connected lumbar spine arthritis.
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