Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The low back disability claim is being remanded for a VA examination, while the psychiatric disorder claim requires an opinion on whether it is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and low back disability due to incomplete rationale in previous VA medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of arthritis within one year after service and concluding that his current condition is not related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, including any flare-ups and functional loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and a thoracolumbar disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability, residuals of left hip replacement, and arthritis of joints are related to his service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination regarding the Veteran's service-connected conditions, specifically his lumbosacral spine disability and major depressive disorder. The Veteran is also seeking increased ratings for these disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral hand disability. However, these claims are still pending as they have not yet been decided on their merits due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's back disorder and arthritis. A new examination is required to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain and its relationship to his degenerative disc disease. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition, including range of motion testing, functional limitations, and neurological abnormalities. Additionally, he needs an opinion on whether his degenerative disc disease is related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain or service.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for chloracne and for service connection for a right shoulder disability. The claims of entitlement to service connection for low back, right knee, and bilateral hearing loss have been reopened due to new and material evidence being received.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records, particularly those related to the Veteran's Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon. The VA needs to obtain these records and provide a formal finding of unavailability if they cannot be located.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete records, including personnel records and treatment records. The Veteran was not notified of missing records or given an opportunity to respond.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination for determining the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. The examiner needs to clarify whether congenital sacralization is a defect or disease, and determine if there was an increase in severity during service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for low back pain and remanded the issue of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's new evidence includes private treatment records, VA treatment records, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar back strain with DDD is rated at 20% from March 11, 2016 to July 15, 2019. The Board finds the evidence does not show functional limitation equivalent to forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than or equal to 30 degrees for any period.,The Veteran's myofascial headaches are rated at 30% from July 16, 2019. The Board finds that more development is needed regarding his dizzy spells.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA medical opinion clarifying the etiology of the Veteran's claimed lower back disorder and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new one that considers the Veteran's lay history of symptoms from service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for residuals of a fracture to the lumbar spine and radiculopathy to the left lower extremity, effective January 28, 2009. The claim for an initial compensable rating for external cutaneous nerve disability in the left lower extremity was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and rating consideration due to unclear range of motion testing results and need for clarification on functional impairment.