Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar degenerative disease and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as well as his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis (low back disability), finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current low back disability and his active duty service or a service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury, and service connection for a back disability is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine are granted a 10 percent rating prior to January 9, 2020. No higher rating is warranted for any time period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neck, back, and right shoulder disabilities due to insufficient development of records from the Veteran's time as a boilermaker in the Navy. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted, along with SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active military service and did not manifest within a year following separation from service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the TDIU issue due to a lack of examination addressing the Veteran's current disability picture and his ability to engage in sedentary employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The Board also remanded the matter of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 12, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and missing medical records. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinion addressing the Veteran's paratrooper duties and continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has denied service connection for back, right hip, and left knee disorders as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that is related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination to assess the Veteran's employment capacity due to his service-connected back disorder and associated lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his back disability and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected back disability. The reasons are that there was not substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding the issues, and another examination is needed.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for low back strain and IVDS was granted, but the effective date of the rating was changed. The Board denied higher initial ratings for the disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted an increased rating of 40 percent, effective June 20, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand several claims, including those for increased ratings and service connection. The Veteran needs new VA examinations due to worsening symptoms of his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy, as well as a medical opinion regarding his erectile dysfunction and renal failure.