The Board has remanded the issue of whether separate evaluations are warranted for any neurologic manifestations associated with the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder from January 13, 2012 to December 27, 2021.
The deciding factor: The VA clinician did not offer a retrospective opinion as to the severity of the neurological disorders identified in the record during the specified period.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, Right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, Right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 30, 2022
- Citation
- 22055693
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 22055693.
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 Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathy with restless leg syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 8, 2024. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease and associated right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU on this basis.
- Granted
The Veteran meets the schedular percentage requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected DDD thoracolumbar spine and associated radiculopathies of the lower extremities have caused a loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating regular and constant use of assistive devices such as canes. As a result, eligibility for specially adapted housing has been granted.
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