The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for lumbosacral spondylosis with intervertebral disc syndrome and left leg radiculopathy due to an inadequate VA examination.
The deciding factor: The August 2021 VA examination is found to be inadequate as it does not account for the ameliorative effects of medication, which is significant given that the rating criteria do not specifically contemplate such effects.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral spondylosis with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and multilevel degenerative changes, left leg radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 26, 2025
- Citation
- A25055606
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 granted service connection for left and right hip strain, left and right ankle pain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability. The claims for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, chronic headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and post traumatic residual pain and cramping of the left lower leg were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board is remanding the claims for a neurological examination to address concerns raised by the Court regarding the October 2020 VA examination report.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an evaluation of 20 percent for bulging disc, lumbosacral strain, effective from May 16, 2023, to June 28, 2024, and denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for left and right leg radiculopathy, as well as for rhinitis and sinusitis.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an evaluation of 20 percent for bulging disc, lumbosacral strain, effective from May 16, 2023, to June 28, 2024, and denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for left and right leg radiculopathy, as well as for rhinitis and sinusitis.
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