Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board dismissed the appeal for a higher disability rating for low back disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has withdrawn the claim for an increased rating for PTSD and granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for service connection of a back disability and hearing loss are being remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records from a chiropractor in Houston.

The Veteran's DMII and hypertension are rated based on their current severity. The Board has not found evidence supporting higher ratings for these conditions prior to July 28, 2018, or thereafter. The Veteran’s OSA and back disorder have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, lumbar strain (claimed as low back disability), left wrist ganglion cyst, heat stroke residuals, neck disability, and head injury residuals to include headaches.,Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions due to a lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to May 1, 2015. From February 11, 2020 through February 10, 2020, the Veteran met the schedular requirements for a TDIU but was not granted one due to lack of evidence showing unemployability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for lumbar spine condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed as the claims were resolved in a May 2020 rating decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic low back disorder in service or within one year after service. The Board also found that the current low back disability is not related to his knee disabilities. The cases regarding increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen her claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and a low back disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,New evidence, including VA medical center records and private psychiatric opinions, was submitted since the last final denial in August 2009.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding insufficient evidence to show the condition began during or within one year after separation from active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and outstanding records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar spine, knee, heart, and sleep disorders, which he asserts are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability has been rated at 20 percent since July 2, 1999. The Board found that the current evidence does not support a higher rating as the Veteran still retained significant range of motion in his thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of objective evidence. The case will be returned for further development, including additional examinations and clarifying opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected syringomyelia (spinal cord injury) is granted. The initial rating for lumbosacral strain remains at 10 percent, and the initial rating for headaches is increased to 50 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and more development is needed.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right hip disabilities as well as an increased rating for residuals of a right leg fracture from July 13, 2013. The Veteran's claims were found to lack evidence supporting the presence of chronic conditions in service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities were granted a 20 percent rating effective from January 21, 2020. The disability ratings are subject to the criteria for diseases and injuries of the spine.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities are each rated with separate 10 percent ratings prior to May 4, 2017. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for further development of the claims.