The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The Board found that there is no evidence of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, or unfavorable ankylosis (or the functional equivalent of ankylosis) of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar strain does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, or unfavorable ankylosis (or the functional equivalent of ankylosis) of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 5, 2024
- Citation
- A24043680
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 A24043680.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied the claims for right knee disability, erectile dysfunction, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision is remanded for further action on these issues.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for middle and index trigger finger/stenosing tenosynovitis of the right hand, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The earliest effective date is June 30, 2012, for the right hand condition and April 22, 2016, for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
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