Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of left ear hearing loss, back disorder, and respiratory disorder due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and right foot conditions due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations, specifically regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The case is now pending for a new examination to assess the current severity of the condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a lumbar spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a low back condition, including arthritis and lumbar strain due to incomplete development of records and need for an updated medical opinion.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the issues of an evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for service-connected myofascial strain lumbosacral paraspinal muscles and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). Specifically, a new examination is needed that complies with the requirements of Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016), and clarification regarding the Veteran’s diagnosis is required.

The Board has decided that the termination of VA compensation benefits for thoracolumbar spine arthritis and right knee degenerative joint disease was proper. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for further review of additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that there was no direct or presumptive evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for secondary service connection as his radiculopathy is not related to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and associated radiculopathy are granted increased ratings, with separate ratings for each lower extremity. TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates on various service connection claims have been withdrawn.,All issues of increased ratings and TDIU have also been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of entitlement to an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and entitlement to a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for systemic arthritis and left carpal tunnel syndrome was denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses.,Service connection for low back disorder and sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the presence or etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is being reviewed again.

The Board has denied service connection for Hepatitis C and remanded the issues of service connection for a low back disorder, TDIU, and the cause of the Veteran's death.

Your claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed as the appeal is moot due to the grant of service connection for your back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and nerve pain in both legs, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine DDD with IVDS is remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the Board’s December 2017 remand and incomplete VA examination.

Service connection for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis with bone spurs, degenerative joint disease, and metatarsalgia is granted effective December 16, 1977.,Service connection for a back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and lumbar neuropathy, is granted.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting information regarding her period of active duty and reserve status. The veteran is required to provide additional evidence, including personnel records from Camp Lincoln, to verify her service during the specified time frame.