Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of all remaining issues.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is granted as related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and lumbosacral strain, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar scoliosis, strain, and degenerative disc disease prior to September 9, 2016 was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS from September 9, 2016 was also denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative facet changes, bilateral hip strain, and degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees. The Veteran's inability to conceive was also denied.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's low back disabilities, diagnosed as a lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc disease, are granted based on aggravation of a pre-existing disability.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted due to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine arthritis was rated at 10 percent prior to January 25, 2014 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Board has remanded the case for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure the adequacy of evidence for review, particularly regarding range of motion findings for the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The appeal will be remanded to obtain these retrospective medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for accrued benefits due to pending appeals and a potential one-year window for filing a Notice of Disagreement. The RO must adjudicate these claims on their merits.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it had its onset in service and is related to his military service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including rating claims for low back disability and left common peroneal lumbar neuropathy. The TDIU claim is also part of this appeal.

The Board denied service connection for back disorders, including as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The evidence did not show chronic symptoms of arthritis in service or continuous post-service symptomatology.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar spine condition was granted with an effective date of November 26, 2019. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's initial rating for a back disability prior to April 2006 was denied. From April 2006 through June 2014, a 20 percent rating was granted for the back disability. Separate ratings of 10 percent were granted for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet criteria for any compensable rating.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for a back disability, brain tumor, and foot disability is granted. The cases are remanded due to the need for additional development including verification of periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA), as well as VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional opinions regarding his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from October 21, 2015 to February 5, 2019. The case is remanded for further examination and rating of the left knee and spine disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a bilateral hip disability and back disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection, specifically addressing whether these conditions are aggravated by her service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to VA for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as his forward flexion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.