Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability due to inadequate medical opinion and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain employment that could be considered substantially gainful versus just marginal in comparison, and the Board finds he is entitled to a TDIU benefit.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for additional development, including a new examination of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities have been reopened.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain has been rated at 10 percent since October 23, 2003. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating as there was no indication of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's service-connected mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder and lumbosacral strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back condition and left ear hearing loss due to insufficient development of medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and lack of rationale for denying service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or authorization, and an examination will be scheduled.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected. The claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The Veteran's right fifth toe, left wrist, and back disabilities are now pending before the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes mellitus, lower back disability, and neck disability due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and skin disability other than pyoderma were denied service connection. The cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service due to lack of evidence connecting it to an in-service injury. PFB was granted as the condition began during service. The skin disability other than pyoderma was denied because there is no link between the in-service pyoderma and current conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions provided in a previous remand. The case is being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbosacral spondylosis/arthritis, bilateral upper and lower extremity neurologic disabilities, and right shoulder disability due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and neurological disability of the feet, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service or service-connected disabilities.

The claim of service connection for a back disorder is reopened and remanded due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions regarding the etiology of the disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the date of diagnosis and history of the Veteran's low back disability. The claim will be further developed with an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted.,Service connection was also granted for the Veteran's right leg disability, with his current low back disability being found to be secondary to that right leg disability.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine has been rated at 40 percent since January 2018, with an increased rating granted. The other issues on appeal remain pending and need further development.