The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for low back strain with degenerative arthritis and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity. Additionally, a TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the need for further examination.
The deciding factor: The April 2015 VA examination did not adequately capture the functional impact of the Veteran's low back and left sciatic nerve disabilities, necessitating a new examination.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain with degenerative arthritis, Sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 11, 2023
- Citation
- 23050319
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 23050319.
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 denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for obstructive sleep apnea and has remanded the issues regarding lumbar spine disability, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, bladder and/or bowel disorder related to the lumbar spine disability, and service connection for PFB. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or undergo examinations as directed.
- Dismissed
The appeal as to the proposed reduction of the rating for degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, mild disc bulge with moderate central disc protrusion L5-S1 is dismissed due to procedural issues. The claim for a higher rating for sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity, is remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder from May 1, 2019 to August 31, 2021; denied an increased rating in excess of 70 percent thereafter. The Board also granted 20 percent ratings for femoral nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity, right lower extremity, left club foot with pes planus and plantar fasciitis, right club foot with pes planus and plantar fasciitis, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity from May 1, 2019 to February 4, 2022; denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and clarification regarding the severity of his service-connected conditions, specifically peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.
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