The Veteran's ratings for DDD/DJD of the thoracolumbar spine and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy were reduced from their initial assigned levels, but these reductions are now void ab initio due to procedural errors. The appeals for restoration of the original ratings are granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations used to justify the reduction of the Veteran's ratings were inadequate and did not provide sufficient information to support the decision.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disorder (DDD) / Degenerative Joint Disorder (DJD) of the thoracolumbar spine, Left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2026
- Citation
- A26017116
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26017116.
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 Veteran's low back disability is rated at 50 percent effective February 13, 2021. His left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 80 percent from April 21, 2013 to February 12, 2021. The Veteran's TDIU claim has an earlier effective date of April 21, 2013.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease and associated right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU on this basis.
- Granted
The Veteran meets the schedular percentage requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.
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