Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is not related to his service-connected shell fragment wounds and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine conditions due to insufficient examination reports addressing the probative value of lay statements regarding earlier onset dates.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a low back disorder due to inadequate examination and inconsistency in opinions provided.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded several issues, including those related to traumatic brain injury, urinary incontinence, and right hip disability.,Issues such as service connection for TBI, urinary incontinence, and right hip disability are now pending before the Board.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted service connection as it is considered a direct result of his military service. The back condition claim remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration of new evidence, including CAPRI records from the Columbia VAMC.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete service treatment records and a need to review newly submitted evidence, including a VA examination for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record. The decision on the left ear hearing loss disability claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee degenerative joint diseases are granted. The cervical spine disability, neurological impairment of the upper extremities, and neurological impairment of the lower extremities are remanded for further examination and opinion. The initial ratings for left ankle degenerative joint disease and residuals of a right thumb sprain are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and bilateral foot disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to outstanding development, specifically obtaining Social Security Administration and private medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as there was no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disorder and lumbar spine disorder. The claims will be reviewed again with new evidence considered.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for low back strain, left ankle sprain, and mechanical right ankle pain were denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection were established.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a compensable or higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected L4-5 severe degenerative disc disease (DDD) are being remanded as the AOJ needs to consider the severity of his disability from June 3, 2003 forward.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a back disability due to insufficient opinions regarding its etiology. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar disability, including increased pain and limited functional ability, developed as a result of VA failure to properly diagnose and treat his initial disorder. As such, compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for this condition are granted.

An evaluation greater than 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease is being remanded.,An evaluation greater than 10 percent for bilateral Achilles tendonitis with limitation of ankle motion prior to July 20, 2016 is being remanded.