The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome was denied. He was granted a 20 percent rating prior to October 8, 2018, and a 40 percent rating on and after that date for left lower extremity sciatica.,A remand is ordered due to the Veteran's assertion regarding his unemployability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, and the Veteran’s left lower extremity sciatica was rated based on its severity since October 8, 2018.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, left lower extremity sciatica
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 17, 2021
- Citation
- 21015356
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 21015356.
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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity sciatica, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain. The decision is based on a finding of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for left and right lower extremity sciatica, leading to the dismissal of these claims.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and left lower extremity sciatica, finding that these conditions are related to an in-service injury.
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