The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's sciatica, including any radiculopathy in his bilateral lower extremities, is related to his service-connected right knee strain.
The deciding factor: The decision was made based on insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sciatica and his service-connected right knee strain.
- Claimed conditions
- sciatica, left lower extremity, right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2020
- Citation
- 20014170
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 20014170.
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 Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of increased initial evaluations for erectile dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, service connection for left lower extremity, service connection for right lower extremity, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding her service-connected depression. She needs an examination to assess the impact of her depression on her ability to work.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity disabilities, including sciatica, are granted on a secondary basis to his service-connected back disability. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has been unable to secure or follow gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded substantially gainful employment, and a TDIU is granted. The evaluation for lumbar strain remains remanded due to the need for an updated examination.
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