The Veteran's low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's low back disability has resulted in limited range of motion, but no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have also been rated based on their respective conditions without additional functional loss due to pain or other factors.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine, Right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), Left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 21, 2023
- Citation
- 23052371
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 23052371.
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 appeal for increased ratings and effective dates was denied. The decision specifically addressed the issue of an increased rating for PTSD, which was found not to meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) due to inadequate examination findings.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining VA treatment records and a need for an additional medical opinion regarding the effects of medications on the Veteran's service-connected back disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection on October 22, 2018.,Effective from October 22, 2018, the Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathies (sciatic nerve) were also granted secondary to his low back disability.,The effective dates for these conditions are all set at October 22, 2018.
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