The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for his service-connected radiculopathy affecting the left sciatic nerve is remanded. The AOJ must obtain updated medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA neurological examination to determine the level of functional impairment stemming from his disability, including whether it affects other nerves and muscle groups. Additionally, the AOJ must verify the Veteran's educational and occupational history to adjudicate his TDIU claim.
The deciding factor: The decision is remanded due to new evidence indicating a significant increase in the severity of the Veteran's radiculopathy affecting multiple nerve branches and muscle groups, necessitating further medical evaluation and consideration.
- Claimed conditions
- radiculopathy affecting the left sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- February 23, 2022
- Citation
- 22010247
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 22010247.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's compartment syndrome, superficial peroneal neuropathy of the left lower extremity with restless leg syndrome associated with compartment syndrome, and radiculopathy affecting both sciatic nerves. An earlier effective date was granted for the right sciatic nerve radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under the applicable rating criteria.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy of the sciatic nerves have been granted increased ratings, with specific limitations on when these ratings apply.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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