Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease, finding that his current condition is related to an in-service fall on ice.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The claim of entitlement to a TDIU was granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including a supplemental opinion addressing the limitation of lumbar spine during flare-ups and requesting that the Veteran complete an Application for Increased Compensation based on Unemployability (VA Form 21-8940).

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated as 10 percent prior to March 1, 2016 and 20 percent after that date. The Board has remanded the case for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, began during service and continues to this day. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a bladder disability. The Veteran is directed to provide VA with private healthcare provider records, and VA should obtain all relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to address his service-connected disabilities, including headaches, COPD, diarrhea, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran also has several issues related to service connection that are being addressed in the remand process.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for mild degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The remaining claims for right carpal tunnel syndrome and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is related to a pre-existing condition that did not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to service. The decision also notes that remand is necessary for opinions regarding secondary service connection claims for left hip and leg disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for thoracic spondylosis and low back strain due to insufficient evidence regarding medical causation. A supplemental VA medical opinion is needed to consider continuity of symptoms.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 1, 2004 for the grant of a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since that date.

The Board dismissed all issues of appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a neck disability, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease leading to current disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for a lower back disorder.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection of low back and bilateral leg conditions as they have been fully granted with a September 2019 rating decision. A 20 percent rating, but no higher, has been assigned for impairment of the right distal ulnar radial joint since May 17, 2019.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and development conducted do not adequately comply with the September 2019 Board remand directives. The Veteran is advised to attend a VA examination for his claimed disabilities, or face adverse impact on the outcome of his claim.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to service, including considering his statements of continuity of symptoms since service and the statement from E. H. regarding an injury during a storm in 1969.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar strain and the petition to reopen the PTSD claim. The Veteran's lumbar strain is not linked to his military service, and there is no evidence linking his PTSD to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability was denied because he failed to report without good cause for scheduled examinations.