The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, an increased rating for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist with left upper extremity radiculopathy, and initial ratings for radiculopathy of both lower extremities from April 3, 2020.
The deciding factor: The examiners failed to provide retrospective opinions regarding the functional impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) of the left wrist with left upper extremity radiculopathy, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity from April 3, 2020, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity from April 3, 2020
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 9, 2024
- Citation
- A24064746
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 remands the claims for further development and to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate examinations and missing records.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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