The Veteran's low back disability was rated based on the severity of his symptoms and range of motion. The Board found that the criteria for higher ratings were not met at various points in time, leading to a remand for further development.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner noted that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases or Injuries of the Spine due to his limited range of motion and pain during flare-ups. The Board found no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis, which would have warranted a 50% rating.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain, left leg radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), right leg radiculopathy (femoral nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20048449
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20048449.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right leg radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) prior to August 18, 2022 were denied as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right hand arthritis and left hand arthritis have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for lumbar strain, radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve have been remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with left sciatica. The right lower extremity sciatica claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as lumbar strain, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, is causally related to service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.
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