The Board has denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve associated with service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease. The right shoulder and acquired psychiatric disorder issues are remanded for further examination and opinion.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues, including a request for an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve associated with service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease. The right shoulder disability and acquired psychiatric disorder issues are remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right shoulder disability, acquired psychiatric disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 27, 2019
- Citation
- 19166666
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 19166666.
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 tinnitus and a right hip disability, and granted a 30 percent rating for ureterolithiasis. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, while other claims were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions of the left and right hands, shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, ankles, and foot, but granted service connection for a right knee disability and fibromyalgia. The decision was based on medical evidence that did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and voiding dysfunction as residuals of a stroke, and granted initial ratings for the back disability, left shoulder disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims for earlier effective dates for hypertension and stroke were denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions and a TDIU, as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these disabilities were related to the Veteran's military service.
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