Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for lower back problems is granted. The claim for service connection for lumbar strain (claimed as back pains) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including vertigo, right and left wrist disorders, sleep disorder, right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, actinic keratosis, nasal polyps, squamous cell carcinoma, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety disorder), eye disorder (vitreous syneresis, floaters, panniculi), right knee disorder, left knee disorder, hernia, pulmonary hypertension, and allergic rhinitis have been denied. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU from June 26, 2019 is granted. The Board also remanded several issues including the rating of genu recurvatum and knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lumbar spine disability and left hip disability due to potential issues with service connection determinations, including whether new evidence supports reopening of previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including headaches, cervical and lumbar myositis, were remanded due to the need for further development. The Board did not assign a specific rating or effective date as the appeal was remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain and skin rash due to insufficient evidence in their favor. A new VA examination is needed for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development of his VA medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbar spine compression fracture disability was granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective March 1, 2011 to March 7, 2012. The claim for TDIU prior to March 7, 2012 was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee osteochrondroma, finding that it is aggravated by his service-connected internal derangement of the left knee. The low back condition issue remains remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain has been reopened, and the Board has remanded his claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a higher rating for Hepatitis C. The VA will obtain additional medical records and provide supplemental opinions to address these issues.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and disability ratings for various conditions, including migraines, neck disability, back disability, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes, varicose veins of the left lower extremity, left shoulder disability, and anxiety. The Veteran's SSA records have not been associated with the claims file.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine, left knee meniscus tear, and left knee instability disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or showing they are disabling enough to warrant higher ratings. The Veteran was also denied a TDIU as he did not meet the criteria for such an award.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a back disability have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had credible evidence of in-service stressors, current diagnoses, and a link between his symptoms and these events.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and low back disability due to inadequate opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, with secondary service connection being considered.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective July 27, 2005, based on the evidence showing his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability but granted a TDIU rating from September 16, 2017. The issue of TDIU prior to that date is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability, service connection for bronchitis and allergic rhinitis, and entitlement to a TDIU due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's low back disability was reduced from a 40% rating to a 20% rating, effective August 21, 2017. The Board has restored the 40% rating for the low back disability as it found that there was no improvement in the Veteran’s ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in diagnoses and the need for a new examination.