Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for low back, left hip, and right hip disabilities. Service connection was denied for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome, and lumbar radiculopathy are granted service connection. Cold injury residuals are denied as there is no evidence of current disability related to the in-service cold injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and bilateral knee disorders, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lower back, right hip, and right ankle conditions due to secondary service connection. The VA examiners did not adequately address whether these conditions were aggravated by his service-connected left hip and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for neurological disabilities of the left and right hands, as well as his elbows, are denied. The claim for thoracolumbar spine arthritis with scoliosis is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back strain, diagnosed as lumbar strain. The claim for tuberculosis was dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal during his hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The rating for low back strain prior to May 16, 2017 was denied as the disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating. Since May 16, 2017, the claim for an increased rating was also denied due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion less than 30 degrees or unfavorable ankylosis. The TDIU claim from August 26, 2014 to November 16, 2017 was denied as the disability did not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's disability evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is being remanded due to evidence suggesting worsening of her condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, back, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disorders due to secondary service connection. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including TDIU and evaluations for various conditions. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of TDIU and has therefore remanded all matters.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding no competent and credible evidence linking any current back condition to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a disability of the lumbar spine due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities and grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, effective August 12, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his disabilities. The issues remain on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess the severity of his left shoulder condition and determine if he meets the schedular requirements for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's post-THR left hip disability is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The low back disability remains rated at 20 percent.,Service connection for a left foot plantar fasciitis has been remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, low back disorder, and cervical disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether his current condition was caused by his military service. The Board resolved reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine condition and remanded it for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and attempting to obtain private records. The Veteran is also scheduled for an examination to determine if his current lumbar spine condition had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of May 24, 2000. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from that date.