The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination of his lumbar conditions, including radiculopathy. The TDIU claim prior to May 26, 2021, remains on hold as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the current VA examinations are not adequate and need further clarification regarding the Veteran's range of motion and flare-ups. The TDIU claim prior to March 26, 2021, is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Invertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS), Mechanical Low Back Pain, Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity (LLE), Radiculopathy of the Right Lower Extremity (RLE)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 7, 2024
- Citation
- 24011000
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 24011000.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is being remanded due to a failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination in connection with her claim. The Board finds that this was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and requires rescheduling of the examination.
- Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of August 7, 2023 for the grant of service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease and Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (also claimed as a back condition), and bilateral lower extremity sciatic neuropathy.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied increased evaluations. The TDIU claim was also denied prior to August 20, 2013.
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