The Veteran seeks a higher evaluation for his service-connected spondylosis of the lumbar spine, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has granted entitlement to a separate evaluation for left leg radiculopathy as a neurologic manifestation of the service-connected spondylosis.,The Veteran also seeks service connection for a disorder of the third nail of the left hand and a right knee disorder, both secondary to his service-connected lumbar spondylosis. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.
The deciding factor: The newly received VA treatment records document that the Veteran developed left leg radiculopathy as a neurologic manifestation of his service-connected spondylosis of the lumbar spine.,The Veteran’s hearing testimony and a July 2019 VA treatment note indicate that his right knee disorder may be due to overuse from repeated running in combat boots, or secondary to his service-connected lumbar spondylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- left leg radiculopathy, spondylosis of the lumbar spine, disorder of the third nail of the left hand, right knee disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 6, 2019
- Citation
- 19160815
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 19160815.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type II, migraines, left and right knee disorders, and obstructive sleep apnea due to missing military records and inadequate examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders to obtain a new examination that adequately addresses all pertinent evidence of record.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and rating issues, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these matters.
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