The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding lower back pain, left leg injuries, and PTSD.,The Veteran is also seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, which he contends was caused by a 2005 incident during his first period of active duty.
The deciding factor: Remand is necessary to obtain clarification on whether the Veteran has lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his lumbar strain with DDD and to ensure an adequate examination for rating purposes regarding residuals of a left lower extremity shrapnel injury.,The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding service connection for PTSD, which he contends was caused by a 2005 incident during his first period of active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD), left lower extremity shrapnel injury, an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 29, 2023
- Citation
- 23047523
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 23047523.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD). The Veteran's OSA is not yet service-connected.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee patellofemoral syndrome, ankylosis and instability of the right knee, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD), did not meet the minimum threshold requirements for schedular TDIU. However, she is entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from January 3, 2013 to January 2, 2014.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical records to be obtained and for VA examinations to assess the severity of his lumbar spine and left lower extremity disabilities, as well as any acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are also remanded to determine service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease was granted a 40% rating, effective from the date of decision. The Board also granted entitlement to Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) for periods prior to August 10, 2016 and from November 1, 2016.
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