The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine DDD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation of his lower extremity numbness.
The deciding factor: The examiner needs to determine if the Veteran’s lower extremity numbness is related to his service-connected lumbar spine DDD.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine DDD, lower extremity numbness
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 22, 2018
- Citation
- 18104363
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18104363.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic and femoral nerves), and back scar status post laminectomy are all granted effective December 22, 2013.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) is also granted effective December 22, 2013.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left elbow sprain, right elbow enthesophyte, left knee strain and enthesophyte, right knee strain, and right leg radiculopathy but denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The veteran's request for a rating higher than 70% for PTSD with opioid use disorder and TBI residuals was denied. However, the veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left knee DJD, right knee DJD, lumbar spine DDD, and cervical spine DDD as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus.
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