The Board remands the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain an expert opinion from an orthopedist.
The deciding factor: A remand is required due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing the Veteran with an expert opinion from an orthopedic specialist.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and spinal stenosis, Left lower extremity radiculopathy (also claimed as sciatic and shooting pain), Right lower extremity radiculopathy (also claimed as sciatic and shooting pain)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 28, 2025
- Citation
- A25028977
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 Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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