The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a compensable rating based on audiometric findings.,For his lumbar spine traumatic arthritis (back condition), the Veteran’s current disability picture does not meet or approximate the criteria for a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain additional information regarding the severity of his back condition.,The Veteran's Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has been considered, but no compensable rating can be assigned as it did not recur or metastasize since treatment in 2010 and he does not have any residuals from the condition.,Regarding the skin condition, a compensable rating is denied as there is insufficient information to determine if the Veteran's current disability picture warrants such a rating. The Board finds that remand is necessary for further evaluation.,The allergic rhinitis/sinusitis claim was also remanded due to insufficient information regarding its severity and impact on the Veteran’s daily life.,Regarding bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, the Veteran's current disability picture does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain additional information regarding this condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s claims are remanded as there is insufficient information provided in the current record to determine if any of his service-connected conditions warrant a compensable rating or if further evaluation and evidence are needed.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine traumatic arthritis (back condition), Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, skin condition, allergic rhinitis/sinusitis, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20024737
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 20024737.
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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