The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and remanded the issues of service connection for cervical radiculopathy and TDIU.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the lack of ankylosis or forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, which are required for a higher rating under VA regulations. The Board also noted that secondary service connection could not be established without further clarification from the March 2016 examiner.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD), pinched nerve in the neck/cervical spine with associated neuropathy and/or radiculopathy of the upper extremities
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20025559
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 20025559.
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 Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, cervical strain (claimed as cervical spine condition), lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, tinnitus, endometriosis, female sexual arousal disorder, and urinary frequency. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are supported by medical evidence linking them to her military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD) due to a lack of consideration of potential aggravation during active service and an inadequate medical opinion.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and granted a 40 percent disability rating for right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, while denying all other claims.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) but denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease.
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