Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that there is at least a reasonable doubt in favor of the claim and resolving it in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several knee and lumbar spine disabilities have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine spondylolisthesis with degenerative disc disease was denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to December 21, 2012 is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to appear for VA examinations. The matter will be returned to the RO with instructions to obtain her VA treatment records, schedule her for another examination, and ensure that a copy of the notice letter is included in the file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disorder and heart disorder due to incomplete verification of his service dates. The VA is required to provide additional development, including verifying ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA periods in the Army Reserve.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a low back disability due to lack of service treatment records and missing hospital records. The case is sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral facet disease of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 10 percent prior to October 20, 2010 and 20 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that there is not evidence of a nexus between his in-service complaints and current disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale provided in previous VA examinations. The issues include lower back disability, right and left ankle disabilities, flat feet, and complex regional pain syndrome.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and lumbar spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the right knee with patellofemoral pain syndrome, Osgood-Schlatter’s disease and genu recurvatum.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a low back disability, joint pain in the hands and feet, and depression due to inadequate development of his claims. The RO is instructed to obtain private treatment records from identified providers, VA treatment records, service treatment records, and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. They are also asked to verify any periods of active duty for training (ACDTURA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's initial rating for TBI residuals is denied as the highest level of impairment (1) does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's compensable rating for vascular headaches is denied due to less frequent prostrating attacks than required by the criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting lower back condition was aggravated by his active service and if any current back disability is related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant due to pending increased rating claims. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated in detail, including their impact on his ability to use a wheelchair or other assistive devices.

The Board has remanded the claim for a low back disorder due to inadequate medical evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide the Veteran's representative with a copy of the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's functional impairment from his service-connected disabilities and determine if he is unemployable due to these conditions. The examiner must consider all of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, except for left knee degenerative arthritis, during the period from May 15, 2018 to July 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examinations and requests for updated evaluations of the Veteran's cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not addressed as they were previously decided.