The Veteran's neck or cervical spine disability is being remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it is related to service-connected back disability.,The Veteran's lower extremity neuropathy (claimed as meralgia paresthetica) is being remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it is caused by obesity, which may be aggravated by the service-connected low back disability.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded.
The deciding factor: An addendum opinion is needed to address whether the Veteran’s neck or cervical spine disability is related to his service-connected back disability and if it is aggravated by that condition.,An addendum opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's obesity, which may be caused by his service-connected low back disability, has aggravated his lower extremity neuropathy (claimed as meralgia paresthetica).,The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities cannot be decided without addressing whether the Veteran’s service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to work.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbar strain, neck or cervical spine disability, bilateral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20001759
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 Board granted earlier effective dates for the assignment of ratings and service connection based on an intent to file a claim submitted by the Veteran prior to his formal claim.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 40 percent rating for chronic lumbar strain, restored the 10 percent rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome effective February 11, 2023, and granted separate 10 percent ratings for instability of the right knee. The decision also granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from June 8, 2021, and TDIU based on PTSD alone from August 21, 2021, along with SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on housebound status from the same date.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded a claim for service connection for sleep apnea.
- Dismissed
The appeal for an increased disability rating for chronic lumbar strain was withdrawn, and the Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
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