Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spondylosis with degenerative changes at L5-S1, erectile dysfunction, headaches, cervical spondylosis with degenerative changes of the cervical spine at C4-C5, and right knee degenerative arthritis with medial meniscus tear are being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than January 27, 2015 for right calf atrophy with strain of muscle group XI and denied his increased rating claims for cervical spine spondylosis, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy. The ratings for these conditions were granted or maintained as appropriate.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for gout, frostbite, lumbar spine disability, and hypertension due to lack of current diagnoses or persistent symptoms.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied because the new evidence did not relate to a previously unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip condition (claimed as left leg and hip condition) was also denied due to lack of medical evidence linking his current condition to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus and a low back disorder due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions, requiring additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional evidence in several areas, including PTSD severity since January 2010, TDIU prior to February 26, 2013, and SMC based on aid and attendance needs.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, which may relate his current back disorder to service.

The Board granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine and denied DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, right knee, left knee conditions and traumatic brain injury due to in-service injuries. The Veteran is required to provide VA medical records and private treatment records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected foot disabilities. The low back disability and hypertension are remanded for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as further medical examination is needed to determine if the condition is related to military service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability from December 1, 2013 to July 9, 2018.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded as the current examination did not address whether it is aggravated by his service-connected back and ankle disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a compression fracture at T12 and for a low back disorder manifested by lumbar spasm, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar spine disability, and scars. The issues of increased ratings are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine DDD and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy was granted. The appeal regarding an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA is dismissed due to the invalid NOD filed by the Veteran.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected schizoaffective disorder.,Service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's cervical osteoarthritis has been granted service connection. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development and medical opinions.

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

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient development and lack of discussion of the Veteran's lay testimony in the provided opinions.