The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the lower extremities, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's radiculopathy is being examined further regarding its relation to his service-connected lumbar myositis and other back disorders.
The deciding factor: The remand was requested due to the need for additional evidence, including VA examinations and records related to the Veteran’s claims.
- Claimed conditions
- radiculopathy of the lower extremities, dorsolumbar degenerative disc osteochondrosis and spondylosis, lumbar facet degenerative osteoarthritis, dorsolumbar compression fractures, lumbar muscle spasm
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2018
- Citation
- 18144957
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 18144957.
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 Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome and radiculopathies aided in his death from traumatic asphyxia caused by a fence falling on him. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of an increased rating for lumbar muscle spasm and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the need for a new medical opinion that discounts the beneficial effects of medication.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and home adaptations are remanded due to the need for current medical examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected back disability and associated radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology and nature of his claimed condition.
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