Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The issues are related to whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The claims will be readjudicated after rescheduling the missed examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's abnormal spinal contour, specifically whether it is due to severe muscle spasms or guarding caused by his service-connected low back condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and the increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied. The Veteran's other service-connected conditions have been assigned appropriate compensable disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back disorder is related to service, specifically his combat experience involving parachute jumps. The VA will need to provide a new examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is being remanded for further development due to the need for a new VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis with degenerative arthritis is granted service connection.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are both granted secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine spondylosis with degenerative arthritis.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including heart disability, breathing disability, chronic kidney disease, prostate condition, thyroid disability, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy, and back disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between these conditions and his active duty service, particularly radiation exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right shoulder conditions are granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examination and further development is required.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the AOJ failing to substantially comply with a previous Board Remand. The case involves an initial rating for a back disability in excess of 10% prior to April 26, 2012, and an increased rating from that date to October 8, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and to establish service connection due to insufficient evidence in some cases, including lack of x-ray reports. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional information regarding his TDIU claim.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. Service connection is granted as the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is found to be related to his in-service parachute jump injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a deformity of the fourth digit of the left hand and a back disability were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial compensable evaluation for costochondritis prior to March 6, 2019, but denied after that date.

An initial 40 percent rating for low back disability is granted from January 11, 2014.,Separate 10 percent ratings are granted for RLE and LLE radiculopathy since January 24, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and requests additional evidence from the Veteran.

The Veteran is eligible for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities that preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, canes and/or a wheelchair.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for the aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).