The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine prior to March 11, 2017 is denied.,A compensable rating for RLE radiculopathy prior to March 11, 2017 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for IVDS with cervical strain prior to February 14, 2015 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for post-operative right shoulder debridement/bursectomy/decompression/SLAP repair (dominant) prior to February 14, 2015 is denied.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence shows that the Veteran’s IVDS did not meet the criteria associated with a rating higher than 20 percent under either formula for rating IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine prior to March 11, 2017.
- Claimed conditions
- Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) of Thoracolumbar Spine, Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, IVDS with Cervical Spine Strain, Post-operative Right Shoulder Debridement/Bursectomy/Decompression/SLAP Repair (dominant)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 31, 2020
- Citation
- 20051110
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 20051110.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, without considering the ameliorative effects of any medication he uses.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 29, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is likely due to his service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy conditions, with tramadol use possibly causing the condition by October 25, 2012. The effective date for ED will be remanded.,Due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the issues, including the need to determine if tramadol caused ED prior to August 30, 2013, the SMC issue is also remanded.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise, and therefore grants service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other service-connected conditions such as lumbar disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, obstructive lung disease, and gastroesophageal reflux.
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