The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are being remanded due to procedural errors in the initial decision. The AOJ must provide a new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's disabilities and clarify the interpretation of terms used in the relevant diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the pre-decisional duty to assist error was in failing to provide an adequate medical examination for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, as well as a failure to define or explain the severity levels of the relevant diagnostic codes pertaining to his right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 12, 2026
- Citation
- A26022763
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26022763.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for miscarriage, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right elbow disability due to insufficient examination opinions and incomplete service history verification.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as these issues have been addressed in a separate docket.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection is being remanded for the lumbar spine disability and right knee and calf disabilities.
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