Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for updated medical records, examinations, and development of his TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for TDIU due to inaction on VA examinations conducted during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his lumbar spine disability and service connection for a left hip condition is being remanded due to inadequate examinations in previous VA evaluations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disability and hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the condition pre-existed service or was aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service complaints and treatment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied, and he is granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for bilateral foot disability and low back disability due to missing inpatient service treatment records (STRs) and complete service personnel records (SPRs). The Veteran was hospitalized at the emergency room of the Schweinfurt Army Health Clinic for injuries from an alleged in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and an addendum opinion to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ear disorder, sinus condition/allergic rhinitis, and lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has decided the rating for ulcerative colitis and remanded other issues related to service connection.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted an initial rating of 40 percent prior to November 12, 2015. The right hip conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not preclude all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his military service, granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity sciatica.,It is unclear when the increase in severity of these conditions occurred, as the evidence does not provide a clear timeline.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and now requires a new opinion on whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50 percent prior to December 6, 2018. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU for the period prior to November 13, 2013.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and right and left foot disorders, back disorder, heart disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) are all remanded for further development.,The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish a current disability for VA purposes for bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds the examination adequate as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's lumbar strain rating.