The Veteran's lumbago and chronic low back pain (posttraumatic) are rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not result in forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, nor ankylosis at any time during the appeal period. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5237.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbago, chronic low back pain (posttraumatic), bilateral hearing loss, right lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18159635
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 18159635.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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