Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various ankle, back, hip, and knee conditions due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment prior to February 13, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as circumferential disc bulge L4-5 with central canal stenosis and chronic low back pain, status post laminectomy at L5-S1, is rated at 40 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his left knee, lumbar spine, and right knee conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The cases are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s lumbar spine condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability, left foot drop, and numbness in the left leg as secondary to a back disability due to the need for further examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral foot and knee disabilities, lower extremity radiculopathy, and a lower back disability, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience since May 22, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between service and the condition.

The Board has reinstated service connection for PTSD and granted entitlement to a TDIU based on the Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, back disorder, and sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors. The claims are being returned for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and a need for VA examinations. The issues include service connection for various disabilities, with some related to an in-service fall.

The Board has remanded the case for an orthopedic examination to determine if the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to his service. The rating for lumbar herniated disc remains denied, and a compensable rating for left inguinal hernia is also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that there is no current diagnosis of such a condition and that it did not begin during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to ensure that VA's duty to assist was satisfied. Specifically, the Veteran’s in-service injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident on August 11, 1990 are at issue and medical evidence of treatment immediately after the accident is relevant.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for further development of evidence.

The Board dismissed multiple claims for increased evaluations due to the Veteran's death, as there is no surviving appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records, provide another opportunity for the Veteran to submit evidence, conduct examinations, and adjudicate the claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for kidney, bilateral knee, and psychiatric disabilities are remanded as VA examinations are needed to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases for a supplemental medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are related to service.