Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, alone, were not of sufficient severity to render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. Therefore, TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right knee disability and service connection for lower back and neck disabilities are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the lower extremities and right femur disability, as well as compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a penile disability, are also remanded due to outstanding medical records and further examination is needed.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral loss of sight secondary to his penile implant surgery is being remanded in conjunction with the other claims.,,,

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include major depressive disorder and lumbosacral strain, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a mouth injury and low back condition due to insufficient reasons and bases in their previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder. The claim will be adjudicated again with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating in excess of 20 percent for DJD of the thoracolumbar spine was denied, while service connection for PN of the bilateral upper and lower extremities and IBS were also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper back disability, finding that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and TDIU, stating satisfaction with the current ratings of 10 percent and 30 percent for cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease. The Board dismissed these issues due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal for eligibility for the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his current level of impairment with regard to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, right shoulder condition, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease due to lack of available service records. The decision on the other issues remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and lumbosacral strain, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since October 31, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder, finding that there is no relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, right leg radiculopathy, joint pain, and muscle pain.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his back condition and service connection for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, and thus could not establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral sinus tarsi syndrome and lumbar spine disorder due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives, including obtaining private medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including an examination to determine the severity of her service-connected low back disability and whether there are neurological manifestations. The TDIU issue will also be addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran’s assertions of in-service injury or exposure, leading to current disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and hepatitis C, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to deficiencies in the VA examinations of record. The cases are inextricably intertwined, so an adequate VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further development, including obtaining updated records and arranging for another VA examination.