The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's postoperative DDD of the thoracolumbar spine with strain and RLE radiculopathy, as well as any related peripheral nerve involvement. The issues are all inextricably intertwined and must be remanded for concurrent consideration.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that additional examinations are needed to clarify the extent and severity of the Veteran's postoperative DDD of the thoracolumbar spine with strain, RLE radiculopathy, and any related peripheral nerve involvement.
- Claimed conditions
- postoperative degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the thoracolumbar spine with strain, right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20058963
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 20058963.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were dismissed as the appeal requests were not timely filed.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the Board dismissed it.
- Granted
The Board granted the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected chronic lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy in a May 2024 rating decision. The appellant is eligible to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded as a result of this decision.
- Dismissed
The appeal as to the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, neck condition, lumbar spine condition, LLE radiculopathy, RLE radiculopathy, left shoulder condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition is dismissed.
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.