The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lower back condition, left lower extremity sensory deficit prior to May 25, 2017, a rating in excess of 40 percent for his left lower extremity sensory deficit from May 25, 2017, and entitlement to TDIU prior to May 25, 2017. Additional development is required as the evidence indicates that relevant VA records have not been associated with the claims file.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to incomplete medical records and the need for retrospective examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis (lower back condition), left lower extremity sensory deficit
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20069964
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,820 · Granted: 26% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20069964.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 25, 2017.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claims include increased rating and TDIU issues related to lower back condition and left lower extremity sensory deficit.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for lumbar IVDS with degenerative arthritis, an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for left lower extremity sensory deficit prior to May 25, 2017, an increased disability rating greater than 40 percent for left lower extremity sensory deficit from May 25, 2017, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 25, 2017. The remand is due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran is permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities, including low back disability, bilateral knee instability, right shoulder tendonitis, pelvic disorders involving the hips, left and right lower extremity sensory deficits. The Veteran's total disability rating precludes locomotion without the aid of braces and canes, meeting the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.
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