Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right inguinal hernia, neck disability, back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to incomplete examination and lack of consideration of lay statements.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and low back condition have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective September 19, 2018. Service connection for PFPS of the right knee and left knee, as well as lumbosacral strain, has been granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, lumbar disorder, and bunions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, right foot disorder, and bilateral leg disorder due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain a VA examination and opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back, right hip, and right knee disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the evidence does not fully address his ability to perform the physical acts required for substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy, left lower extremity are remanded due to the incorrect application of rating criteria. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The lumbar spine/lower extremity disability and TDIU prior to June 25, 2013, as well as the extraschedular increased rating claim for ischemic heart disease are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of her low back disability was granted with an effective date of July 26, 2013. The Veteran received a 10 percent rating from July 26, 2013 to June 11, 2015 and the issue is now remanded for further review.

The Board dismissed all claims for earlier effective dates prior to November 23, 1999 as the Veteran died during the appeal process.,No service connection was granted or denied in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim can be adjudicated due to inadequate examination findings regarding flare-ups and range of motion during the period prior to October 1, 2010.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and right leg disability (formerly claimed as right knee disability). The appeals are granted.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to April 22, 2013 is being remanded due to the need for additional development and referral to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that she is not so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and that new evaluations are necessary for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right knee injuries, and left knee injury. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his lumbar spine disability is denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,Service connection for GERD was denied because the medical records do not show a diagnosis within one year of separation from service and there is no competent medical opinion linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and entitlement to TDIU due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the onset of his current back disabilities during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative diseases, as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathies, all of which are found to be related to the Veteran's military service. The decision is based on medical opinions linking these conditions to his service.