The Board has remanded the following issues: increased rating for thoracolumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sciatic nerve impingement of the right lower extremity associated with thoracolumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, increased rating for left knee degenerative arthritis, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The RO must consider all evidence received since the last September 2016 statement of the case.
The deciding factor: The Board has remanded these issues due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran after the last Statement of the Case was issued.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, sciatic nerve impingement of the right lower extremity associated with thoracolumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, left knee degenerative arthritis, an acquired psychiatric disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18158848
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 18158848.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and a rating of 30 percent for left knee joint instability, while remanding other issues.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and right knee osteoarthritis, but denied service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right hand degenerative arthritis, left hand degenerative arthritis, left shoulder subdeltoid bursitis (claimed as degenerative arthritis), right shoulder strain (claimed as degenerative arthritis), major depressive disorder, and an anxiety disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in any regular substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a left knee disability to ensure that all relevant treatment records are obtained and an adequate examination with an etiological opinion is provided.
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