Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for low back disability due to new and material evidence. However, the claim remains denied as there is no current diagnosis or medical opinion showing a clinical relationship between the Veteran's low back condition and his in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his back disability, finding that there was no evidence showing a relationship between his current condition and any in-service injury or disease. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have continuous symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, back, left shoulder, and bilateral ankle disorders due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The claims will be addressed after obtaining proper medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the original grants of service connection for myofascial pain syndrome, par cervical region; major depression with mood congruent psychotic features; nummular eczema; headaches; and lumbar strain were based on fraud. As a result, these claims have been severed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability, back disability, and Meniere’s syndrome due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during active service or are otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining outstanding records from SSA and private treatment facilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral knee disability, headaches, and hypertension due to inadequate VA examinations and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, anxiety disorder, and lower back disorder were denied. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lower back disorder are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a low back disorder and entitlement to TDIU prior to July 29, 2013 due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's left ankle disorder is alleged to be related to his low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination in determining the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine and right SI joint disabilities. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess her current disability levels.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities. The current rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues related to his lumbar spine condition, sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The cases are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and depressive disorder. The Veteran's low back disability is found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board has remanded this issue for further development.,Right leg lumbar radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has also remanded this issue.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed for the period prior to January 17, 2017 due to his already receiving SMC based on housebound status. The case is remanded for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU on behalf of the Veteran from January 17, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper and low back disorder and left knee disorder due to missing medical records and further development is needed.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, radiculopathy of the left leg, radiculopathy of the right leg, erectile dysfunction (ED), and a disability manifested by frequent urination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since March 7, 2013. The Board granted the TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further clarification on whether the Veteran's lower back disability is proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected foot disabilities, hammertoes, and calluses.