The Veteran's lumbar back strain with DDD is rated at 20% from March 11, 2016 to July 15, 2019. The Board finds the evidence does not show functional limitation equivalent to forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than or equal to 30 degrees for any period.,The Veteran's myofascial headaches are rated at 30% from July 16, 2019. The Board finds that more development is needed regarding his dizzy spells.
The deciding factor: More evidence is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran’s dizzy spells and whether they should be considered as a separate condition or one of the symptoms of his service-connected myofascial headaches.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar back strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD), myofascial headaches, dizzy spells
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20061936
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 20061936.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for dizzy spells and hypertension due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which he contends are related to his active military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation during service at Walker Air Force Base.
- Denied
The Veteran's dizziness is associated with his diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension. The Board denied service connection for dizzy spells.,There is no current diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy in the Veteran's medical records. The Board denied service connection for diabetic neuropathy.,The Veteran failed to report for a necessary examination without good cause. The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD).,The evidence does not establish that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD. The Board denied service connection for PTSD.,There is no current diagnosis of vision in the Veteran's medical records. The Board denied service connection for vision.
- Granted
The Board granted the reinstatement of the 50 percent rating for myofascial headaches, effective March 24, 2017, as the reduction was improper.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for benign growth of the bones (benign mass to frontal bone) prior to April 7, 2020, but denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent from that date. The Board also remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
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