Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The case is being remanded due to the need to ascertain if any of the Veteran's service records are misfiled. The Veteran served with the Army National Guard and had a period of active duty for training.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for multilevel DDD was granted, and he is now receiving a 40% disability rating since August 26, 2016.,From August 26, 2016 to August 16, 2017, the Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected psychiatric disorder was granted. After this period, he is no longer considered unemployable due to his psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability and migraine headaches have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety and major depressive disorder), left foot disability, right foot disability, and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma and melanoma) due to unresolved issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of contemporaneous medical records, and the Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 10 percent for each knee throughout the period on appeal, effective from March 18, 2014. The Veteran's back disability remains at 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sacroiliac joint dysfunction and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) due to new evidence. The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted, but his PTSD rating remains remanded as it may have increased since the last VA examination in 2016. His back issues are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 50 percent rating for chronic low back strain with diffuse degenerative disc disease and degenerative changes, effective April 1, 2018, is granted.,Service connection for a bilateral wrist disorder is denied.

The Veteran's back disability is granted an increased rating to 20 percent, effective March 21, 2011. The Veteran also received service connection for fibromyalgia and urticaria.

The Board denied requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of left knee disability, lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathies. The claims were not filed within one year after discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's back condition is rated at 20 percent before January 10, 2020 and 40 percent thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy affecting his bilateral lower extremities. The TDIU claim is also deferred until the rating for radiculopathy can be determined.

The Board has granted service connection for the partial amputation of the left middle finger. The issues of service connection for a broken jaw, left ankle disorder, right eye disorder, and low back disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for a left ankle skin disability and chronic upper body pain have been denied. The low back disability claim is being remanded for further development.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran’s claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability and cervical spine condition. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence, including private treatment records and VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability. The TDIU issue is also deferred pending completion of this development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, finding that he did not meet the criteria for ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence supports a causal relationship between his in-service injuries and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, residuals of a fractured rib, kidney disease, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's hypertension is not presumed due to his service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right shoulder strain, lumbar spine strain, and a fractured nasal bone, prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period from January 31, 2011 through December 31, 2014. The Board granted his claim for TDIU based on this evidence.