The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy is currently rated as 40 percent disabling. The Board has granted this rating.,For the left and right upper extremities, the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran reported symptoms consistent with sciatic neuropathy in his right lower extremity over the appeal period. The Board found these reports credible and granted a higher rating.,For the upper extremities, there is no established diagnosis or credible indication of current disability. The remand is required to provide an examination for any potential radicular conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy, Left upper extremity neuropathy (radiculopathy), Right upper extremity neuropathy (radiculopathy)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20036503
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 20036503.
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 an effective date of August 7, 2023 for the grant of service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease and Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (also claimed as a back condition), and bilateral lower extremity sciatic neuropathy.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his spine and lower extremity neuropathies, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 3, 2020.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity femoral neuropathy, right lower extremity femoral neuropathy, left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy, right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and dermatitis. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was denied.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for traumatic arthritis of the left elbow, left elbow osteoarthritis, and a right knee disability with limitation of flexion. The Veteran's appeal for an increased compensable rating for right knee instability is remanded. Appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy and right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy are also remanded. The TDIU claim is deferred pending adjudication of the above-mentioned issues.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.