The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(i). The Veteran's back disability is rated as 20 percent disabling, and he has also been granted a separate rating for his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional development was needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran’s service-connected back disability and its impact on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- mechanical low back pain with degenerative joint disease, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 2, 2021
- Citation
- 21005865
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 21005865.
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 claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in all four extremities, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to exposure to toxic chemicals during military service. The conditions are presumed related to herbicide exposure.
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