The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with herniated discs, and ratings in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right knee tendinitis and patella femoral pain syndrome, as well as compensable ratings for right hip iliopsoas tendinitis with limitation of flexion, extension, and abduction.
The deciding factor: A remand is necessary to obtain an opinion addressing the functional impairment associated with the Veteran's service-connected disabilities without consideration of the beneficial effects of medication, and to obtain treatment records from a private physician.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with herniated discs, Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, Right knee tendinitis and patella femoral pain syndrome, Right hip iliopsoas tendinitis with limitation of flexion, Compensable rating for right hip iliopsoas tendinitis with limitation of extension, Compensable rating for right hip iliopsoas tendinitis with limitation of abduction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2025
- Citation
- A25045108
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 was granted a 40% rating for his low back condition and a 60% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, while other claims were denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's appeals for increased ratings and remanded certain issues, including TDIU and SMC.
- Partly granted
The Board granted restoration of 20 percent ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathies of the sciatic and femoral nerves, but denied increased ratings in excess of 20 percent. The Board also remanded service connection for prostate cancer and a rating increase for low back strain.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve and an initial rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, while denying service connection for right foot pain. Other claims were remanded.
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