The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the nature and severity of his service-connected neuropathy of the lumbar nerve in the left lower extremity. The examiner will also provide opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar disc disease was incurred in or related to service, and whether it is at least as likely as not that the hemilaminectomy and discectomy were performed for treatment of his service-connected neuropathy.
The deciding factor: The appeal involves a rating decision on a service-connected condition (neuropathy) and an issue regarding a temporary total rating following surgery. The issues are inextricably intertwined, requiring further development to ensure accurate assessment and evaluation of the Veteran's conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- neuropathy, lumbar nerve left lower extremity, status post left L4-L5 hemilaminectomy and discectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2023
- Citation
- 23024782
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23024782.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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