Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and an acquired mental disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine spondylolisthesis, service connection for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity (RLE), migraine headaches, and thoracic spine disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional in-service medical records and a VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain is granted service connection.,Service connection for PTSD and MDD is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran’s knee, ankle, foot, and kidney conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the Veteran's claim for service connection of a thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity numbness (left and right leg disabilities) are granted secondary to his service-connected back disability.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions to address whether the Veteran's left collarbone and lower back conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. He is currently assigned a combined 100 percent schedular rating, but the issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection due to incomplete development of his back, knee, and radiculopathy disabilities. The pes planus claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 20 percent for residuals of a lumbosacral spine injury is denied.,The Veteran's request for an effective date prior to December 13, 2010, for a 20 percent rating for residuals of a lumbosacral spine injury is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbar disc disease and TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will need a new examination that complies with Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and migraine headaches, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions being related to her military service.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives and requires another remand for several tasks, including obtaining VA treatment records from Van Zandt VAMC and other facilities, as well as a medical clarification regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for low back pain disability was denied, and his separate claim for left lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (service connection) while others were not (separate rating).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back condition and a left knee condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right knee strain is denied. The claims for increased ratings of other specified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome (IDVS) and degenerative arthritis status post lumbar laminectomy/discectomy, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are all denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to July 30, 2015 is also denied.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted them as to lumbosacral spine, neck, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities. The remaining claim of service connection for bilateral eye condition is still pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to errors in the May 2018 decision, including failing to seek clarification from the examiner regarding the May 2012 VA examination report.