The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, lumbosacral degenerative disc and joint disease and L3-L4 central spinal canal narrowing, left lower femoral radiculopathy, left lower sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower sciatic radiculopathy due to inconsistencies in the VA examination reports.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the August 2022 VA Nerve and Back examination reports contain irreconcilable inconsistencies and are therefore inadequate. The Veteran's assertions of flare-ups were also inconsistent with the findings in the examination reports.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, lumbosacral degenerative disc and joint disease, L3-L4 central spinal canal narrowing, left lower femoral radiculopathy, left lower sciatic radiculopathy, right lower sciatic radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 5, 2024
- Citation
- A24081059
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 A24081059.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of a lumbosacral strain, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service injury. The claimant did not contest this decision.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury during active duty and his continuous symptoms since then.
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