Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a sleep disability, right shoulder disability, lumbosacral myositis and lumbar disc degeneration, left knee tendonitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The cases are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for residuals of an injury to the left leg and knee, but has remanded both the service connection claims due to the need for additional development. The back disability claim is inextricably intertwined with the left leg and knee claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back condition, COPD, and heart condition due to new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including chronic thoracolumbar strain, is being remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board will determine if there is a relationship between the current low back condition and service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions from medical professionals.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical records and providing clarifying opinions from VA examiners.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, back condition, and right knee degenerative joint disease. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions prior to death, and that any in-service injuries or exposures did not result in a chronic disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and degenerative disc of the lumbar spine are being remanded due to new evidence received since previous decisions.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee, left shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and denied service connection for a back disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression or bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's eligibility for VA home loan guaranty benefits is granted because he was discharged from active duty due to a service-connected back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease and for TDIU due to inadequate development from the previous VA examination.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service dates and obtain his U.S. Army Reserve records, which may be relevant to his claims for service connection. The issues will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ankle, low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran's disabilities are being requested to be evaluated again with a focus on whether they are related to service or secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a back disability due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee and back disorders, as well as his hypertension, are inextricably intertwined with his service connection claims. Therefore, these issues must be remanded for further development.