The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the issues of increased disability ratings for low back pain with lumbar osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, sciatica, left lower extremity, and entitlement to a TDIU. The Veteran will be provided notification letters and asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain private medical records. He will also be scheduled for VA examinations.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the current evidence is insufficient to make a decision on the merits of these issues without additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.
- Claimed conditions
- low back pain with lumbar osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, sciatica, left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 30, 2018
- Citation
- 18105834
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 18105834.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and strain, as well as sciatica in both the right and left lower extremities. The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions are related to an in-service motor vehicle accident injury.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for sciatica, left lower extremity was granted with an effective date of March 27, 2023.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for headaches, left ankle arthritic condition, left knee strain, lumbosacral strain, right ankle arthritic condition, right knee strain, sciatica, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a need for additional development of evidence.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the L5-S1 lumbar spine and sciatica in both lower extremities, finding that the current ratings were appropriate.
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