Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability is remanded due to the need for an examination to assess whether the condition is related to or aggravated by service-connected foot or knee disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine disability.,A rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability, effective December 13, 2019, is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is now rated at 30 percent, effective February 17, 2020. His low back disability remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board and Norfolk Southern Corporation.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not manifest within a presumptive period and was not related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right hip disability, right ankle DJD, back disability, and psychiatric disability. The issues of increased ratings for knees are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU, and there is no evidence of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to new VA treatment records received in March and April 2018. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with these additional documents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year following discharge. The examiner opined that the current back disability is less likely related to service and/or a service-connected knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and granted a 20% rating for the residuals of left ankle fracture, but denied compensable ratings for seborrheic dermatitis.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating from June 2, 2006 to February 3, 2011. The effective date of the 20% disability rating was set at February 3, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and insufficient consideration of all relevant evidence. The Veteran's low back disorder will need further examination and opinion from a medical professional.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions regarding his cervical spine, lumbar spine, left upper extremity, and acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service or his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, as well as right and left sciatic nerve disabilities, both claimed to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability.,There is no direct evidence linking the Veteran’s current lumbar or sciatic nerve conditions to his military service. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions are not related to his service.