Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbosacral strain and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeals of right knee and right shoulder disorders, granted service connection for IBS, and remanded other issues due to lack of adequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's SMC claim is remanded as the VA has not conducted an examination to determine his daily personal assistance needs attributable solely to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for his lumbar spine disability prior to November 13, 2014 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence linking her current condition to her military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back, neck, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and hypertension due to new evidence received since the last examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve were denied. The case was remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's hearing loss disabilities in both ears and low back disability are granted. The right knee disability is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the inextricability of his service connection claims for back and cervical spine conditions. The case will be held in abeyance until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been withdrawn and are dismissed. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened, but not granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, and his head disability (TBI), neck disability, low back disability, heart disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to missing medical records and uncorroborated in-service stressors. The VA is instructed to obtain additional records, including from SSA and private providers, and to schedule a PTSD examination if corroborated stressors are found.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues of service connection for various disabilities, including a left ankle disability, eye disability, thyroid disability, low back disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability (reopened), right knee disability, left knee disability, headaches, and hemorrhoids, are being addressed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of total knee arthroplasty of the bilateral knees and residuals of lumbar injury, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability. The claim for low back disability is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and missing service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and low back condition, both secondary to his right knee degenerative joint disease. The remand requires an updated VA examination to determine if there is any incremental increase in disability due to the right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims of service connection are being reviewed.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical spine disability and major depressive disorder were denied, with the cervical spine rating remaining at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal disease, and headaches due to secondary service-connected conditions. The appeals are considered 'mixed' as some issues have been granted while others remain in dispute.