Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is rated at 50% effective February 6, 2018. His back disability is rated at 40%. The left ear hearing loss claim remains pending and the right ear hearing loss and psychiatric disorder claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for her service-connected back disability from 20 percent to 10 percent was not proper and has restored the 20 percent rating. The case is being remanded for a new examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected back disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for a back disability. However, the Board has also determined that there is no evidence to support the claim and therefore denied service connection.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed wrist disability, back disability, left eye disability, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The claims are being remanded due to the failure to appear for VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left hip and lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to active military service or to a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's in-service injury and the need for additional medical records. The claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's back condition is related to his in-service injury, while the other conditions are also linked to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral spine, left knee, right knee, and traumatic arthritis disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service.

The Veteran's back disability is granted a 40% rating, effective from July 18, 2017. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 50% rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee brace caused wear and tear to his pants in 2018, leading to a clothing allowance for that year.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease, left convex lumbar scoliosis, and spinal stenosis. The evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition and a cervical spine condition, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are caused by the Veteran's service-connected knee and shoulder disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral disorder, finding that his current condition is related to his military service and not due to intercurrent causes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for a cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and traumatic brain injury are not supported by competent evidence of a nexus to his active service. The Veteran's STRs do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions until many years after separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis with instability, but denied service connection for tailbone disability and lower back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine arthritis disc disease with spondylosis, bronchial asthma, radiculopathy right lower extremity, and radiculopathy left lower extremity, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations. The Board granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).