Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and secondary service connection due to lack of a proper medical opinion regarding the onset of the Veteran's low back disability in active service. The case will be reviewed again with new evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted from October 18, 2008 through November 17, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The decision is based on the severity of his back strain and depression.

The Board's decision in November 1980 incorrectly denied service connection for a low back disability, which was later found to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to the Veteran's combat service. The claim is now granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to March 8, 2017 and is now rated at 40 percent after that date.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been denied as he can still maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and COPD.,Service connection was granted for the Veteran's low back disability due to credible statements of continuous back symptoms in the years since service. The VA examiner found no evidence linking the current condition to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of lumbosacral strain, right knee RPS, left knee RPS, and GERD. The case is being remanded to obtain new VA examinations and an addendum opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that her current condition did not manifest during service and is not related to any in-service injury or disease. The Board also found no evidence of chronicity within one year post-service, thus denying presumptive service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a lumbar spine condition due to inadequate medical opinion and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted the application to reopen the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine condition. The claims for service connection of cervical spine and right shoulder conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for instability of the right knee is granted, effective June 12, 2008. A 10 percent rating for painful motion or reduced range of motion of the right knee is also granted, effective June 12, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from August 1, 2009 to August 19, 2010.

The Board dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings as they were not properly appealed and the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder and hypertension due to inadequate development. The AOJ is required to obtain VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of any current back disorder and hypertension, as well as conduct further development related to these issues.

The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine was granted a 20% rating effective February 28, 2018. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted a 20% rating effective November 2, 2017. However, his hearing loss and TDIU claims were not resolved.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew them prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted for IBS and his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and GAD. The remaining claims have been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 24, 2009.