Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that clear and unmistakable evidence demonstrated the preexistence of the condition prior to service and no aggravation during service. The current degenerative disc disease is attributed to natural aging process and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's entitlement to special monthly compensation based on housebound status was granted effective February 26, 2015. The Board denied an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as they are not severe enough to prevent sedentary work.

The Board denied service connection for thoracic and lumbar scoliosis with spina bifida occulta, S-1 as the evidence did not show an in-service injury or incident that caused or aggravated the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain private treatment records from the Veteran's chiropractors and personal care physician in North Carolina.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his DDD disability is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was granted with an effective date of March 26, 2019. The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to his active military service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability, which is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran’s current back disability was aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity varicose veins, hypertension, prostate cancer residuals, and hernia. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder arthritis, low back degenerative disc disease, left ear hearing loss, and denied service connection for a bilateral elbow condition and right ear hearing loss. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony regarding his in-service experiences and ongoing symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability, including both direct and Gulf War Illness theories of service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spondylosis and bilateral hip arthralgia due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran contends his current disabilities are related to an accident during military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back, left knee, and bilateral foot disabilities due to incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide information about his treatment and release records from health care providers.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral knee and back disabilities due to a failure to comply with previous directives. The case is now back before the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her lumbar spine disability and service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to outstanding records and additional evidentiary development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's back disability existed prior to service and if it was aggravated by military service. The case will be sent for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, left elbow condition, residuals of a right foot fracture, and neurobehavioral effects.,Higher ratings are available for the Veteran's tinea pedis but were not granted in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the other issues due to outstanding medical questions.