Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and service connection for a sleep disorder due to potential inconsistencies in VA examination reports and incomplete medical records.

The Board has dismissed the issue of entitlement to service connection for a left big toe disability. The Veteran's low back and hip disabilities are granted, but the knee and shoulder disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran's lay statements indicate that his symptoms began during or shortly after service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's low back strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The Board also denied increased ratings for his cervical spine and major depressive disorder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a traumatic brain injury and evaluation of cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, previously rated as neck strain. The Veteran's claim is based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability from October 12, 2009 to March 31, 2013 was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition more closely approximated unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% since May 8, 2018. The effective date for this rating remains unchanged from the previous decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment status and hours worked, which is necessary to determine if he qualifies for TDIU prior to October 29, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability did not start during his military service and is not related to any in-service injury or event. As a result, the claim for service connection for this condition was denied.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for low back disorder and COPD, finding new and material evidence. The appeals for left rib disorder and left hip disorder are remanded.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, as his education and work history suggest he is capable of performing various jobs. His current physical and mental health conditions are consistent with lower evaluations than those currently assigned for these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lower back disorder, finding that there is no competent and probative evidence relating his current condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied an effective date prior to October 27, 2009 for the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and TDIU. The Veteran's claims were found inextricably intertwined with his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for lumbar IVDS with degenerative arthritis, an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for left lower extremity sensory deficit prior to May 25, 2017, an increased disability rating greater than 40 percent for left lower extremity sensory deficit from May 25, 2017, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 25, 2017. The remand is due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his right knee, cervical muscle sprain, chronic lower back strain with degenerative joint disease at L5-S1 (lumbar spine disability), and right shoulder strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of each disability.