The Board remands the claims for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy to correct duty to assist errors.
The deciding factor: Remand is required due to outstanding private treatment records and an inadequate VA examination.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), lumbar spine, Right Lower Extremity Sciatic Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 17, 2025
- Citation
- A25024212
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 an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy, as the record does not include all relevant treatment records prior to back surgery.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), to include gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD); left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome; and left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, cervical strain, lumbar strain, and associated bilateral radicular disabilities.
- Granted
The veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.
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