The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC based on need for aid and attendance, loss of use of buttocks, loss of use of legs, and loss of use of hands. The claims are also remanded to obtain VA medical records and employment history information.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the characterization of issues was incorrect and requested additional development including obtaining unassociated federal records, requesting private medical records, and obtaining employment history information.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, cervical spine degenerative disc disease with cervicalgia, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20025902
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 20025902.
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's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis. The claims for back pain and right upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied the claims for right knee disability, erectile dysfunction, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision is remanded for further action on these issues.
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