The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for service-connected radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status or the need for regular aid and attendance of another due to his service-connected back disability. The VA will provide a new examination to address these issues.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the May 2019 VA back examination was inadequate, as it did not consider the Veteran's claim based on his back disability and associated conditions, including neurologic abnormalities.
- Claimed conditions
- rubiculopathy of the left lower extremity, lumbar myofascial strain with L4-5, L5-S1 herniation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 3, 2024
- Citation
- A24028699
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 A24028699.
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 that a new VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and determine if it is related to his service-connected lower back disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as the claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar strain, discogenic disc disease, and lumbar facet syndrome. The TDIU issue is also being remanded due to its inextricable link with the other issues.
- Partly granted
An effective date of February 20, 2009 is granted for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremity.,The claims of entitlement to earlier effective dates for radiculopathy of the upper extremities are denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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