Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical and/or thoracolumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence in the claims file. A VA examination is needed, along with updated treatment records.

The Veteran's low back disability was previously rated at 20 percent prior to June 20, 2016 and is now remanded for further evaluation as it has worsened since that date.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint/disc disease and left lower radiculopathy are rated at 40 percent, effective from July 18, 2013.

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

The Board denied service connection for a disability of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no link between the Veteran's current low back disability and an in-service motor vehicle accident. The weight of evidence indicates that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, back disability, and skin disability due to herbicide exposure. The claims are being reviewed again as there is insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various shoulder, knee, and ankle conditions due to insufficient medical opinions addressing his in-service parachute jumps. The claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to his service-connected low back disability were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the lumbar spine disability, but also noted that there was no evidence of incapacitating episodes of disc disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back injury has been granted. His bilateral hearing loss and right-hand fracture have been rated at the maximum available rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened, but the appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's right wrist sprain remains rated at 10 percent and is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbosacral strain is related to service, and thus granted her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, hemorrhoids, and right wrist disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period prior to July 22, 2011.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional evidence, specifically Social Security Administration records related to his disability benefits.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's cervical spondylosis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical radiculopathy are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board does not find any basis for an increased rating.,The Veteran's right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of all issues in the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine has been granted.,An increased rating to 40 percent for hepatitis B and C is granted, but no higher. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted a rating of 40 percent effective July 30, 2019. The previous ratings were denied or reduced.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an upper back disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for right and left shoulder disorders due to insufficient evidence.