Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically his range of motion and functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The rating for osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with history of T-12 and L-1 compression fracture is denied, as are the claims for sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity prior to February 24, 2017 and left lower extremity prior to February 24, 2017. The rating for sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity since February 24, 2017 is denied, as are those for the left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and conflicting opinions. The issues of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and bilateral hand numbness, as secondary to cervical spine disability, are being reviewed with additional medical examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of records and need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left ankle condition warrants a 10% disability rating, but not higher. The low back disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disorder, right hip disorder, and left ankle disorder due to insufficient medical opinions. The VA must obtain new opinions from experts on these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, which is presumed to be directly related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for residuals of a Colles fracture of the right upper extremity (wrist), status post CTS release, and for DDD of the cervical spine have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has also been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal. The Board finds that MVP and SVT are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability and his TDIU claim were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for the cervical spine condition, as there was no credible evidence linking it to military service. For the TDIU claim, the Veteran’s combined disability rating was 10%, which is below the threshold required for a schedular TDIU determination.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with its April 2019 remand directives, and therefore the issues of service connection for psychiatric disability (other than delusional disorder), low back disability, circulatory system disability (other than hypertension), bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and right knee disability are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded two issues: the initial disability rating for lumbosacral strain and a combined disability rating from March 3, 2016. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to incomplete or conflicting medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence and a need for updated VA examinations. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated to determine if they prevent him from securing or maintaining employment.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a VA examination for his lumbar spine and headache disabilities, assessing the functional impact on employment, and providing an opinion regarding service connection.

The Veteran's left ankle condition is rated at a 20 percent disability rating, but no higher. The Veteran's back condition prior to April 26, 2018 and thereafter is rated at a 20 percent disability rating. Service connection for migraine headaches secondary to service-connected back condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptoms, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and various physical disabilities. The Veteran is required to provide more details about his stressors and any relevant medical records from SSA.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not caused by a May 2005 fall. The fall was attributed to the Veteran losing his balance due to manifestations of his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Board has granted service connection for DJD of the lumbar spine, finding that it was aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left foot hallux valgus, left foot hammertoe, and residuals fracture right malleolus with arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding SSA records and other potential issues. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is currently pending.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is remanded.