The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) of the right lower extremity, and lumbar radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) of the left lower extremity due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the severity, frequency, and duration of any flare-ups and after repeated use over time.
The deciding factor: The Board found that further development is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's competent lay reports regarding his symptoms during flare-ups and after repeated use over time.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) of the right lower extremity, lumbar radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2022
- Citation
- 22015767
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 22015767.
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings were denied, but the claim for individual unemployability was remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for TDIU and DEA benefits prior to December 7, 2020 is denied as there was no formal or informal claim received prior to that date. The effective dates for the TDIU and DEA benefits are both set at December 7, 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and lower extremity radiculopathy during flare-ups and after repeated use over time.
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