The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability, an initial rating for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and an initial compensable rating for left leg shin splints to afford the Veteran new examinations.
The deciding factor: Further development is needed as the most recent VA examination does not address the current nature and severity of the disabilities in question.
- Claimed conditions
- herniation of lumbar intervertebral disc (lumbar spine disability), left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, left leg shin splints
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2025
- Citation
- A25023783
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 denied a disability rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus and a rating greater than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, but granted a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, but granted a separate rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy from October 20, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions without the use of pain medication and securing the credentials of the VA examiners.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for upper chest wall pain and right sciatic radicular pain, while remanding claims for secondary service connection involving the feet, legs, and ankles.
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.