Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for scar of the left lumbar area status post shell fragment wound is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for seizure disorder and lumbar spine DJD, including as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. The appeal is due to new evidence being submitted that may support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the spine is causally related to his military service and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his back disability and the bar to VA benefits due to his discharge are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that his current chronic low back disability is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and now requires a new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for (DDD) of the lumbar spine is denied.,Service connection is granted for patellofemoral syndrome, right knee, claimed as chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lower back condition, left lower extremity sensory deficit prior to May 25, 2017, a rating in excess of 40 percent for his left lower extremity sensory deficit from May 25, 2017, and entitlement to TDIU prior to May 25, 2017. Additional development is required as the evidence indicates that relevant VA records have not been associated with the claims file.

The Board denied the claims for service connection of lumbar spine and right leg disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right shoulder tendinitis, left shoulder tendinitis, and lumbosacral strain have been remanded for further examination to determine their etiology and severity.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for the right knee disability before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of left knee degenerative joint disease and service connection for a lumbar spine disability were denied. The decision found that the Veteran's left knee condition did not warrant an increase beyond 10 percent, while his lumbar spine disability was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the claim for a low back disorder, finding that there are insufficient opinions regarding direct service connection and secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran's lay statements about his symptoms during service have been considered.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and restoration of a rating have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the decision being made.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, low back disability, left knee disability, and PTSD have been granted. The effective date for the increased ratings is not specified as it was determined that an earlier effective date would be inappropriate.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor, affecting 20 to 40 percent of exposed body area, is granted a 30 percent initial rating from August 1, 2012. Other service connection claims are denied.

The Board dismissed the issue of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen service connection for a back disorder. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is now rated at 70 percent, effective from January 31, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including its relation to service and in-service parachute jumps.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate March 2017 VA opinion. The Veteran's low back condition is being reviewed again with new evidence and a fresh medical opinion.