Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20% and denied for higher ratings. The Board also found that the Veteran does not meet criteria for TDIU as he is employed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, left leg disorder, and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) have been granted. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right foot fracture has also been granted.,However, the Board found that there is no reasonable possibility that further assistance would substantiate the claims as they are not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for updated examinations and consideration of all his symptoms. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his current increased rating claims.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for low back disorder and right knee disorder due to incomplete development of records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.,Both the left ankle and left knee disabilities were found to be not related to service.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to determine if the Veteran now has any diagnosable leg or knee disabilities and their relationship to his complaints during service, as well as whether a current back disability is caused by his bilateral leg disability.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of August 3, 2016 for a 40 percent rating for his lumbosacral strain (claimed as lower back condition). The earlier effective date was determined due to the inadequacy of the June 2018 VA examination results.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in his service treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 21, 2009 for a 10 percent rating for lumbar lipoma. The claims for service connection for PTSD and erectile dysfunction, as well as special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ, are denied prior to March 23, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and no causal relationship to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a sleep disability, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar strain with arthritis and left knee strain due to lack of recent VA examinations, and requests additional private medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral foot, back, and knee disabilities due to inadequate examination in the previous decision.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted with a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The back disability remains at 20 percent and hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The gastrointestinal disorder claim is remanded due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD, alcohol use disorder with TBI is denied. The Board finds that the appropriate effective date for the grant of service connection for these conditions is August 18, 2017. Service connection for left arm, shoulder, hip, knee, and low back disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.