The Board has ordered a new VA neurological examination to determine the presence and nature of any right lower extremity sciatic nerve disabilities, as well as whether the Veteran's 'right foot dragging' represents an aggravation of his RLE sciatic nerve disability or is proximately caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance on the part of VA in furnishing the surgical treatment.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the existing medical opinions did not establish a clear relationship between the Veteran's May 2009 cervical laminectomy and his current RLE sciatic nerve disabilities, including 'right foot dragging,' and thus ordered further examination to clarify these issues.
- Claimed conditions
- right lower extremity sciatic nerve disability, right foot dragging
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 11, 2023
- Citation
- 23050323
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 23050323.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew all pending appeals, including those for increased ratings and service connection claims. The appeal is dismissed as a result.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a right lower extremity sciatic nerve disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, restless leg syndrome of both legs, and dermatosis of the legs.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, a back disability, bilateral upper and lower extremity nerve disabilities, chronic fatigue syndrome, and GERD as there was no evidence of a current disability or a nexus to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the case for further development to obtain a retrospective medical opinion addressing functional loss during flareups and with repeated use over time prior to June 2021, as the previous opinions did not provide sufficient information regarding the Veteran's functional loss.
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