The Board remands the issues of whether the character of the Appellant's discharge from service is a bar to VA benefits, and entitlement to service connection for bilateral flat foot (pes planus), herniated disk at L5/S1 status post microdiscectomy, and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: Remand is required due to outstanding records, potential mental health issues, and recent changes in law regarding the character of discharge bar.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral flat foot (pes planus), Herniated disk at L5/S1 status post microdiscectomy (claimed as back injury), Left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 25, 2025
- Citation
- A25038273
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 Veteran's claim for an automobile allowance was granted, while several other claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board also denied the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including generalized anxiety disorder and orthopedic conditions, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 50% disability rating for the Veteran's back disability, denied higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and denied a higher rating for tinnitus. The Veteran was also granted TDIU from February 16, 2021 to November 6, 2023, and an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.
- Partly granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of service connection for PTSD and erectile dysfunction, dismissed the claim for dyshidrotic eczema and tinea pedis, and granted service connection for various other conditions including lumbar degenerative arthritis with IVDS, right and left lower extremity radiculopathies, right and left knee degenerative arthritis, chronic rhinitis, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, and obstructive sleep apnea.
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