The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The issues of service connection for low back degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy of the left leg associated with low back degenerative disc disease are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed together.
The deciding factor: The July 2013 VA examiner's opinion was based on an inaccurate factual premise regarding the onset of lumbar pain. The Board finds this inadequate and requires a new examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.
- Claimed conditions
- low back degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the left leg
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19122560
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 19122560.
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 low back degenerative disc disease and remanded the claims for a right knee disability, migraine headaches, neck disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the issues of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, radiculopathy of the right and left legs, and right and left knee strains due to a procedural error in docketing the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings due to insufficient range of motion findings. The Board will obtain new VA examinations to determine the current severity of the veteran's disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder arthritis, low back degenerative disc disease, and left ear hearing loss. The claim for a bilateral elbow condition was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.