Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has restored the Veteran's 40% disability rating for his low back disability, effective September 1, 2019, as the evidence did not show an improvement in his condition under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board denied the Veteran's motions to reverse or revise the RO’s decisions assigning noncompensable evaluations for his right shoulder and lumbar spine conditions due to a lack of clear and unmistakable error in the initial determinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there are no remaining cases or controversies on appeal regarding earlier effective dates for service connection and a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and migraine headaches, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to her active service or service-connected endometriosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including failure to schedule VA examinations as requested by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae has been denied, but the Veteran is now entitled to service connection for chronic cephalgia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development and need for an opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records and the need for further examination or opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, a low back condition, and a right shoulder condition due to a failure to obtain VA medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that his current condition is related to injuries sustained during service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for back disability and right thigh disability (meralgia paresthetica) due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent from November 26, 2018. The rating was granted as the evidence showed forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 15 degrees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to insufficient evidence in the VA examinations. The Veteran is also required to undergo new VA examinations to assess his hip and back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of her disabilities.

Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and lumbar spine arthritis is granted, effective from September 29, 2017. Service connection for glaucoma was withdrawn.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and numbness of the lower extremities (LLE and RLE) as secondary to the Veteran's low back disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's MOS as a heavy truck driver, which may have predisposed him to developing these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine as there is no evidence that it was incurred during or due to active duty, and the symptoms were not chronic in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to failure to obtain VA treatment records and SSA records, as well as an inadequate VA medical opinion. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral hand disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability due to additional development being required.