The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to deficiencies in the development of evidence and need for additional examination.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there were insufficient records associated with the case file, particularly those scanned into VistA Imaging, which could provide important information needed to make a determination on the Veteran's claims. The remand also includes requesting an examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back and bilateral lower extremity disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic low back strain, left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 15, 2023
- Citation
- 23045044
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 23045044.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The appellant's lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 20 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following substantial gainful employment since January 1, 2017.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for effective dates prior to September 27, 2024, for the awards of service connection for various knee and back conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from April 29, 2018.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.