Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities since July 1, 2008. The decision is effective from that date.

The Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating for neurogenic bladder and a separate 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome (claimed as chronic low back pain).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and any incident during service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for increased ratings and TDIU.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current lumbar, hip, and cervical spine conditions. The claims are being remanded for additional examination and review.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals. Service connection has been granted for PTSD with a rating of 70 percent effective April 22, 2013.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back injury with degenerative joint disease (DJD) and has also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence submitted since the last decision. The AOJ must review this additional evidence and readjudicate the cases.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of proper notification and scheduling of VA examinations. The Veteran is required to report for scheduled examinations or face potential denial of his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back pain is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for fecal urge incontinence is denied, as the disability has not been shown to warrant a higher than 30 percent or 60 percent rating. The claim for an increased rating for low back disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of medical records and a need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, specifically whether it is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus and plantar fasciitis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service and remands for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for initial increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed. The appeal seeking service connection for a right knee condition, a right ankle condition, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain has been remanded.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc disease with musculoskeletal strain of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, throughout the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for lower back and neck conditions due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability due to new evidence. The eye disability claim is denied as no new and material evidence was received.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including a vocational rehabilitation evaluation that assesses the Veteran's current limitations and their effect on his ability to perform in his occupational field. The issue of entitlement to VR&E benefits is still pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a right lower extremity disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.,Service connection was also granted for the right lower extremity disability as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability.