The Veteran's left lumbar sensory radiculopathy and IVDS of the lumbar spine were previously rated, but a remand is required to obtain additional information about functional loss during flare-ups prior to October 20, 2016.,An initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left lumbar sensory radiculopathy, L3-L4 associated with IVDS of the lumbar spine beginning April 30, 2009 is granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's assessment was insufficient to determine the extent of functional loss during flare-ups prior to October 20, 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- Left lumbar sensory radiculopathy, Intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19181168
Veterans Law Judge
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 19181168.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability as further development is needed to obtain an adequate medical opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the service connection claims for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity sciatica secondary to IVDS, bilateral plantar fasciitis, a left ankle condition, a left foot condition, and hypertension due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant private treatment records and securing an addendum medical opinion to assess the historical severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since January 31, 2013. Effective October 8, 2019, the Veteran is granted a TDIU.
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