Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that his current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further appellate proceedings, including a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's back disability and consideration of extraschedular entitlement. The issues include TDIU prior to May 10, 2010, SMC based on statutory housebound status from March 26, 2009, and an increased rating for the low back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, GERD, and migraine headaches due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA examiners were not satisfied with their previous opinions that did not adequately address the Veteran's lay statements about his ongoing symptoms.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for radiculopathy of the upper extremities, rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS, and ratings in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities associated with lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his service-connected back, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The case will be remanded to allow for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left foot fracture residuals is denied. The Veteran is granted TDIU as of November 30, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, back, and ring finger disabilities, as well as a headache disability. The issue of initial compensable rating for skin irritation is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination, including service connection claims for various conditions. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is pending due to incomplete records from his first period of service.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to March 27, 2019 and 40 percent thereafter. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and denied entitlement to Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) because the evidence did not support a finding of a nexus between the Veteran's current back disability and his military service, and there was no other basis for granting TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disorders, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and DJD of multiple joints, as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records from private physicians R. M. and R. R.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional examinations and consideration of all applicable diagnostic codes for the spine, including the Veteran's symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine and left shoulder disabilities due to insufficient reasoning in previous decisions. The Veteran's statements regarding onset of symptoms during service are being considered, along with post-service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine disability was denied, and his request for SMC at the housebound rate was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral pes planus and service connection for hypertension, a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, eye disorders, ingrown toenails, and skin disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is being remanded for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also being remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, eye disorders, ingrown toenails, and skin disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is being remanded for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claim for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease remains on appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, eye disorders, ingrown toenails, and skin disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is being remanded for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains on appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, eye disorders, ingrown toenails, and skin disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is being remanded for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claim for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease remains on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, but the cervical spine disability remains under review.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and urinary incontinence due to inconsistencies with prior evidence of record, including lack of information regarding flare-ups. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.