Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, and left knee based on range of motion. The appeal is being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and insufficient explanation in the medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, including an extraschedular consideration. The decision is pending and more evidence may be needed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition and denied it. The appeal for entitlement to service connection for headaches is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and skin disorder, but granted service connection for urticaria. The ratings for knee disabilities were restored, and the rating for migraine headaches was reduced.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his left shoulder, left knee, and low back disabilities. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for dyshidrotic eczema and increased evaluation for myofascial pain of the cervical spine. The claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back disorder, viral disorder, bilateral eye disorder, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and right testicle disorder. The claims for bruxism and hypertension have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and knee disorders due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability remains denied as his range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is currently rated at 20 percent from July 23, 2018 to the present. The Board has remanded this issue for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, and asbestosis have been granted service connection. However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a bilateral leg disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral foot disability, low back disability, and headaches due to insufficient evidence or lack of examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a low back disability and tinnitus due to undiagnosed illness, as well as his claim for muscle and joint stiffness and pain. The VA is required to obtain new opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including a brain disorder, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and low back disability, are not service-connected as they do not have a direct link to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and back condition, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to service. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation of his lumbar spine disability and a TDIU determination due to inadequate examination in the March 2019 decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, back disability, and bilateral flatfoot due to insufficient development of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder preexisted service and was aggravated by active duty. The Veteran needs to be examined to determine if his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.