The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, which is secondary to her service-connected degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine. The remand requires obtaining relevant VA and private treatment records since August 2017 and forwarding the claims file to a VA physician for an addendum opinion considering the May 2008 private treatment diagnosis.
The deciding factor: The remand is necessary due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, which is secondary to her service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine. The August 2017 VA examiner did not consider the May 2008 private treatment diagnosis in their rationale.
- Claimed conditions
- radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 22, 2018
- Citation
- 18104452
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 18104452.
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 has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for spinal stenosis of the back with degenerative arthritis, to include associated radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for readjudication of the claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a labral tear and cartilage defect of the left shoulder, DDD of the lumbar spine, and SI joint dysfunction due to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The decision is based on the current disabilities being causally related to injuries sustained during service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, lower back scar, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. Service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is denied.
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