The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings and SMC is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of the record.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that further examination and development are necessary to properly adjudicate the claims, including obtaining updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of the disabilities and whether there have been any changes over time.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Lumbosacral Strain with Degenerative Disc Disease (lumbosacral spine disability), Radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity, Radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 6, 2023
- Citation
- 23048794
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 23048794.
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 claim for an effective date prior to December 27, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no earlier claim document in the claims file and the Veteran did not timely perfect an appeal.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity is denied. The claims for an increased rating for strain of the right hip with limitation of extension and Individual Unemployability (TDIU) are remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during service. The Board found the Veteran's testimony and supporting evidence credible, including her VA and private treatment records.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted with an effective date of August 17, 2022. The decision also denies the Veteran's request for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) due to lack of need for aid and attendance or being housebound.
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