The Board has decided to remand the claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic), and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic) due to inadequate VA examination reports. A new examination is required.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the September 2019 VA examination report was inadequate for rating purposes, as it did not adequately consider all of the Veteran's symptomology associated with her service-connected back disability and radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease, Radiculopathy, right lower extremity (sciatic), Radiculopathy, left lower extremity (sciatic)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 17, 2024
- Citation
- A24019337
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 A24019337.
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 low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the claim for a higher rating is denied. The left shoulder disability is also rated at 20 percent, but there are no incapacitating episodes to warrant a higher rating under the IVDS Formula. The TDIU claim is remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a higher evaluation rating of 70 percent for PTSD with an effective date of January 30, 2020.,The Veteran's radiculopathy, right lower extremity (sciatic) and left lower extremity (sciatic), are both granted service connection with effective dates of January 30, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran seeks higher initial ratings for his back disability, but the VA examinations from the period under review are inadequate. The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain an opinion as to the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's back disability during the period under review.
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