The Board has determined that additional development is required for the claims of increased ratings for ventricular arrhythmia and valvular heart disease, lumbar strain and thoracic degenerative disc disease (DDD), and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to determine their current levels of severity.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the existing evidence is insufficient for a determination due to lack of adequate information regarding the current level of severity of the Veteran's heart disability, lumbar strain and thoracic spine DDD, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. Therefore, new VA examinations are needed.
- Claimed conditions
- Ventricular arrhythmia and valvular heart disease, Lumbar strain and thoracic degenerative disc disease (DDD), Right lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18152800
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 18152800.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was evaluated at a 20 percent rating, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and lumbar spine disability, as well as left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The effective dates for these conditions are also denied.
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