The Board remands the claims for a lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathies to obtain additional information regarding the qualifications of the VA examiner who addressed the Veteran's disabilities in January 2025.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the representative's arguments as to the inadequacy of the January 2025 records-based medical opinions due to absence of needed qualifications are well-supported, necessitating that requested opinions again be sought from an adequately qualified examiner to meet the technical expertise called for by the complex medical conditions presented in this case.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar spine disability status-post L4-L5 posterior lumbar fusion, Right lower extremity radiculopathy with neurogenic claudication and cauda equina syndrome associated with status post lumbar spine fusion, Left lower extremity radiculopathy with neurogenic claudication and cauda equina syndrome associated with status post lumbar spine fusion
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 9, 2025
- Citation
- 25006351
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right lower extremity sciatica associated with the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine strain, but remanded claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and sleep apnea.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his lung cancer was related to his service-connected melanoma.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for anxiety but denied it for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's sleep apnea was less likely than not related to his active service or service-connected acquired psychiatric condition.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches as proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.