The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional VA examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and bilateral pes planus conditions prior to December 22, 2020.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the current evidence of record is insufficient to make a determination on the merits due to deficiencies in the VA examinations conducted prior to the decision. The Veteran's symptoms have worsened since service and he has missed work due to his conditions. Further examination is necessary to determine the severity of these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and stenosis of the lumbar spine, Right lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve, Left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve, Bilateral pes planus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 17, 2024
- Citation
- A24056960
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 A24056960.
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 determined that the Veteran's current bilateral pes planus is not service-connected due to a duty-to-assist error, and remands the case for further examination and opinion.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for SMC(o) was denied as he could not receive multiple awards of SMC(l). The right shoulder bicipital tendonitis rating was denied, and the TDIU claim was granted.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus preexisted service and was aggravated by service, warranting a grant of service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and evaluations for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to potential errors in the initial decision. The case will be remanded for further evaluation.
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