The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and lower extremity radiculopathies are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is seeking higher disability ratings, but the most recent VA examination did not adequately assess his symptoms or provide a comprehensive evaluation.
The deciding factor: The August 2018 VA examination was deemed inadequate for ratings purposes as it did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his flare-ups and did not discuss the severity of his radiculopathies in detail.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 2, 2020
- Citation
- 20058118
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 20058118.
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 a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, finding that it most nearly approximated moderate incomplete paralysis.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a denial of SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, which is considered moderately severe incomplete paralysis.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle and lumbosacral spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.
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