Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's nasal disability is granted service connection. The right knee, back, and OSA disabilities are remanded for additional development. Service connection for TBI and acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with lower extremity radiculopathy, left ear hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder due to outstanding treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a back disorder. The decision is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's back disorder, including whether it was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative joint disease with muscle spasm is not service-connected.,Right hip disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are not service-connected as secondary to back disorder.,Right shoulder disorder and left shoulder disorder are not service-connected as secondary to back disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for a lumbar spine disability, service connection for a cervical spine disability, and service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities secondary to a cervical spine disability due to inadequate compliance with prior remands.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for a respiratory disability. Service connection was granted for low back and left knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral knee condition, a shoulder condition, and a back disorder due to incomplete records and inadequate examinations. The case is being sent back for further action.

The Veteran's increased ratings for migraine headaches and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome have been denied.,For migraine headaches, a rating in excess of 30 percent has not been met.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of hip or back disabilities in service, and the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his service. The claims for right hip, left hip, and back disabilities are therefore denied.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar disc disease remains at a 40% rating. Service connection for psychiatric disorders, left and right arm numbness are remanded due to inadequate examination standards.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for lumbosacral strain prior to November 19, 2019 and service connection for a disability of the right lower extremity associated with lumbosacral strain due to additional delay.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral shoulder, knee, and lumbar spine conditions. The right and left elbow conditions are remanded for further development.

An effective date of August 31, 2004, but not earlier, for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain is granted. A 30 percent rating for bilateral knee postoperative scars beginning October 28, 2013, but not prior, is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, lower back disability, and esophageal cancer due to insufficient development. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including an orthopedic evaluation of the Veteran's left knee disability and etiology of his low back strain and right hip arthritis. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's cervical spine disabilities, along with his left upper extremity neurological involvement, have resulted in a need for regular aid and assistance with daily activities. The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's low back disability claim is being remanded for further development due to the lack of substantial compliance with the Board's October 2019 Remand directives.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for left shoulder bursitis and lumbosacral strain, as well as higher initial ratings for radiculopathy of both lower extremities. The remand is due to inadequate examinations conducted previously.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding service connection for a back disability, including Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD). The examiner did not address whether the Veteran's existing condition was aggravated by post-service events or if it was incurred in service. Additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete information from private treatment records. The appellant is advised to provide authorization forms with complete identifying information for each provider so as to allow VA to attempt to obtain such relevant records.