Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that it is more likely than not related to his active service and/or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings and service connection, including obtaining updated VA examinations and clarifying etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lower back disability. The examiner did not consider the Veteran's lay statements about his injury occurring during service, and thus a new examination is needed.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as TDIU. The Veteran is required to provide private medical records related to his knees.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected COPD.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, effective December 18, 2019. The claim for a higher rating prior to this date remains denied.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability and granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis (presumed due to service-connected cervical spine disability).

The Board denied service connection for back, neck, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to consider all relevant evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's left low back disability, including intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative spondylolisthesis, central canal spinal stenosis, and left lower extremity radiculopathy, is being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with L-1 compression fracture and L5-S1 spondylolisthesis is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has determined that this rating is not appropriate as his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her lumbar spine disabilities due to new evidence received since the May 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection for a low back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back and left knee disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back condition and left leg numbness, but finds that further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability and scoliosis. The examiner did not adequately address the Veteran’s statements about his in-service injury and pain.

The Board has determined that the evidence is not in favor of service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, bilateral eye condition, bilateral hearing loss disability, or tinnitus.,VA will need to obtain additional medical records and possibly conduct further examinations to determine if there are any connections between the appellant's current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a back condition has been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's lower back disability is rated at 20 percent since the beginning of the appeal period, effective as of August 27, 2020.