Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to June 19, 2017 due to his employment status and income records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left foot, left shin splints, and right shin splints conditions. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and the continuity of symptomatology required by direct service connection could not be established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and duty-to-assist errors. The claims will be reviewed again with additional medical evidence and expert opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder preexisted service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is granted service connection. The low back and psychiatric disorders are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a back disability, finding that there was no current disability of hearing loss or a back disability related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied the remaining claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left leg shin splints, residuals of a low back injury, right leg shin splints, and residuals of a right leg injury. The decision is based on new evidence received after the July 2019 denial that supports the Veteran's claim of tinnitus being related to in-service noise exposure.

The February 1969 rating decision denied service connection for a back condition, including any back disability that might have caused the Veteran's back pain. The decision was not appealed and became final.

The Board has remanded the issues regarding the Veteran's low back disability for further development, including a new examination to assess the severity of his condition and determine if there is additional range of motion loss during flare-ups or after repetitive use.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder is not the primary cause of his back, left knee, and left ankle disorders. However, these conditions are secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's osteomyelitis is granted a 100% rating, and the issue of an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is remanded. The extraschedular rating issue is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of all evidence, including a private medical opinion. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back condition due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied in 2005, but new evidence has been submitted suggesting the condition may be related to his military service. The Board has decided that this is sufficient to reopen the case and remand it for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for acquired psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, and radiculopathy in the right lower extremity was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, effective February 14, 2011. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, eye disability, general arthralgia, right ankle disability, and right knee disability due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is related to a motor vehicle accident during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a 20% rating, effective October 29, 2020.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 20% rating, effective September 21, 2019. The left leg radiculopathy is also granted a 20% rating for the period since August 11, 2011.