The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and related lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as a claim for a compensable rating for left foot strain. The AOJ is instructed to schedule VA examinations and complete an SSOC addressing these issues.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the claims were not fully addressed due to missing examination reports and incomplete consideration of certain factors.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity, radiculopathy of the femoral nerve of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the femoral nerve of the left lower extremity, left foot strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19169939
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 19169939.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with a rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran's back disability remains at a 40 percent rating. The Board finds the evidence does not support an increase to higher ratings.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the femoral nerve in both lower extremities are each granted initial 20 percent ratings.,Service connection for GAD, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic kidney pain is remanded.,A compensable disability rating (greater than 0 percent) for chronic kidney infections is also remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were granted effective from July 1, 2020.
- Granted
For the period prior to October 29, 2021, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on housebound status is denied.,For the entire appeal period, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) based on need of regular aid and attendance is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to address the Veteran's symptoms and their impact on his service-connected conditions.
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