Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA examination and SSA records to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased disability evaluation for service-connected lumbar-spine disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine disorder with left-arm numbness (secondary to service-connected lumbar-spine disorder) and acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD.

The Board has withdrawn the claims for conjunctivitis, lipoma and right triceps disability. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded due to new evidence received by VA.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient service treatment records from March 1957 to January 1958. The Veteran's claims for lumbar spine and left knee conditions are being reviewed again.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral foot disability, left-sided numbness and radiculopathy, right-sided numbness and radiculopathy, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found no credible evidence of in-service injury or manifestation of these conditions.

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

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, and the Board has found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other manifestations.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen a claim for service connection for a low back strain and remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the Veteran does not have a current disability.,The low back disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disorder. The VA needs to obtain additional records and provide a new medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's back and right knee disabilities are granted as service-connected, with the back disability being attributed to a motor vehicle accident during service. The right knee disability is denied due to lack of evidence showing it had its onset in service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities, but denied the Veteran's appeals regarding prostate disability and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded two issues for further development: service connection for skin cancer and service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as DDD of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's back disability pre-existed service and if it was aggravated by active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip disability and low back disability secondary to pes planus. The claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of the Veteran's back, left elbow, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, which include sleep apnea, lumbar and cervical spine conditions, shoulder issues, and a history of heavy physical labor. The Board granted the TDIU based on these factors.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability on the basis that it is secondary to service-connected knee disabilities. The claims for left and right hip disabilities are remanded.