The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made regarding the issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease and entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent, each, for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran was last provided a VA examination relating to his low back and lower extremities in February 2013, over six years ago. In the July 2019 appellant's brief, the Veteran’s representative stated that the Veteran’s condition has increased in severity. Therefore, a new VA examination is required so that the current nature and severity of the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities at issue may be determined.
The deciding factor: The Board found that further development was necessary due to the passage of time since the last VA examination and the Veteran's representative's assertion of increased severity in his condition.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy, left lower extremity, radiculopathy, right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19166922
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,374 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19166922.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 14, 2023.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, lower back condition, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all appeal issues as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision being made.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for migraines, lumbar degenerative disc disease with associated lower extremity radiculopathy, and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection is denied for left hip strain and right hip strain.
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