The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new examination to assess the current severity and impact on functioning of his lumbar degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy into each lower extremity, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The issues include increased ratings for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran reported worsening symptoms since previous examinations in August 2020, and the examiner should address these claims based on current evidence of record.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Bilateral plantar fasciitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 24, 2024
- Citation
- 24017666
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 24017666.
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 decided to remand the claim of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) secondary to bilateral plantar fasciitis and left shoulder tendinitis due to inadequate medical opinion regarding causation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine and right hip disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The effective date for DEA benefits is granted as May 1, 2014.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for his back disability is denied. The effective date remains March 29, 2021, as the earliest date of claim. An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the back disability from March 29, 2021, is also denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability and right leg radiculopathy are granted service connection, but left leg radiculopathy is denied.
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