The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evaluation.,Specifically, the Board finds that a VA examination is required to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has asserted his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are manifested by daily pain rated at 8 and 7 out of 10, even with strong prescription medication, and affects his ability to do basic activities, stand, sit or walk for prolonged periods. The Veteran also reported flare-ups occurring frequently.
- Claimed conditions
- Left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve, Right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21023607
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 21023607.
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 separate 20 percent ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve, but denied higher ratings for right and left anterior tibial (deep peroneal) nerve involvement.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and denied service connection for additional claimed conditions.
- Denied
The appeal was denied for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for peripheral vestibular damage with vertigo of the left ear, and remanded for further evaluation of other conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent, but no higher, throughout the appeal period.
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