Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for various service-connected conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination for PTSD. The TDIU appeal is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and low back disability has been granted. The claims for PTSD are based on the Veteran's combat experience; those for shoulder disabilities and low back disability are reopened due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right foot disability, back disability, bilateral hand and wrist condition, right knee disability, and sleep disorder to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions. The Veteran is not granted service connection on the merits as her conditions are currently under review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and left foot condition due to outstanding inpatient medical records from Fort Leonard Wood Base Hospital. The Veteran must be afforded examinations and etiology opinions for his claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition and bilateral knee condition due to missing medical records and inadequate etiology opinions. The Veteran must provide any outstanding VA or private medical records, specifically from his time in New York and South Carolina after discharge. New etiology opinions are needed to assess whether the disabilities began during active duty and if they are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for mild diffuse disc bulge and mild DDD at L4-5 prior to May 2, 2014 was denied as the disability did not result in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for mild diffuse disc bulge and mild DDD at L4-5 from May 2, 2014 to October 13, 2016 was denied as the disability did not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees or combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for mild diffuse disc bulge and mild DDD at L4-5 from October 13, 2016 was denied as the disability did not result in forward flexion to 30 degrees or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) because he has not provided necessary information to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. His claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied.

The Board has determined that the VA has not fulfilled its duty to assist in obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability of the lumbar spine, resulting from a September 2003 surgery performed at Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital. The Board has therefore remanded the case to obtain an independent medical expert opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there is no competent and credible evidence supporting service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for basal cell carcinoma on the right shoulder is denied as there is no evidence linking it to his active duty.,The Veteran meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective April 28, 2015 due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran's low back disorder is being reviewed again for a more thorough examination and consideration of all available evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative joint disease, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10% prior to March 16, 2017 and denied for a higher rating. After March 16, 2017, the Veteran is granted a separate 10% evaluation for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection for bilateral foot condition was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information provided by the clinician who conducted the November 2019 examination regarding flare-ups and functional loss. The Veteran's lumbar strain condition is being reviewed again with a different examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it had its onset in service and is related to her military duties.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records, complete the Veteran's VA Form 21-4192 for his previous employers, and schedule him for a VA examination to assess the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to unclear dates of service and need for clarification regarding diagnoses and opinions provided in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of VA examinations and need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's left knee, eczema, acquired psychiatric disability (depression), low back/tailbone disability, and headache disability are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her chronic thoracolumbar strain and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with strain are being remanded due to the possibility of an increase in severity since their last examinations.