The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a separate rating for spinal stenosis associated with his service-connected low back disability, and has remanded the claims for increased ratings for multiple herniated discs of the lumbar spine with bilateral radiculopathy and TDIU.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran’s spinal stenosis is not a separate and distinct manifestation from his service-connected multiple herniated discs of the lumbar spine with bilateral radiculopathy, thus denying the claim for a separate rating. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to new evidence suggesting worsening symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Spinal stenosis, Multiple herniated discs of the lumbar spine with bilateral radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 5, 2020
- Citation
- 20038633
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 20038633.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, herniated disc, IVDS and spinal stenosis is rated at 40 percent since August 19, 2020. The appeal period did not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for his lumbar spine condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to incomplete service records and a lack of relevant VA treatment records. The Board will seek additional opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, finding that symptoms began during service and have persisted since.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her back and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations that did not consider the ameliorative effects of medication on her service-connected conditions.
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