Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective from April 7, 2017. The right and left knee disabilities are each rated at 20 percent effective from January 23, 2012 to August 3, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active service. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability due to full benefit being granted. The increased rating claims for major depression and bilateral flatfoot prior to February 13, 2020 were denied, while a TDIU was granted effective August 28, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disorder, a neck disorder, and a psychiatric disorder due to new evidence received since the last denial. The specific issues are pending further review.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 1, 2014, to August 22, 2019. The Board finds that referral for extraschedular TDIU consideration is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and right knee condition due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, including reviewing his service records and obtaining any relevant medical records. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and dermatitis of the soles of both feet rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the appeal period stemming from his June 4, 2010 claim to August 15, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence and potential changes in his disability status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy, as well as service connection for surgical scars, were denied. His claim of service connection for a TBI was reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his left knee condition, back disability, and individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's low back disability, other than chronic lumbar strain, is related to his service. The examiner must consider the Veteran's STRs and testimony of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, right arm, left arm, right leg, and left leg disorders due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability and lumbosacral strain with lumbar spine degenerative disc disease are rated at 20 percent each, resulting in a combined rating of 40 percent. The decision grants the ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service due to his service-connected disabilities potentially rendering him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a left hip disorder and a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain, degenerative joint disease, and L5-S1 disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome. The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatica was granted a 20 percent rating from November 25, 2015 to July 25, 2018, but denied a higher rating since then.,The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a kidney disorder. The issue of TDIU was also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to incomplete medical records and unclear findings regarding his scoliosis. The case is now before the RO for further development.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent from May 7, 2009 to March 16, 2016. The rating was denied before that date and after that date.

The appeal for service connection of a back disability is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left-ankle disorder, TBI, unspecified ear disorder, and sleep disorder. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).,Service connection was not established for any of the claimed conditions.