Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to issues with her lumbar spine, lower extremity radiculopathy, wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and shoulder disability. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder due to lack of medical evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection, evaluation of disabilities, and exposure basis. The Veteran's claims are not decided at this time.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right shoulder pain, fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain, interstitial cystitis, and chronic fatigue, all claimed as secondary to asbestos exposure. The Veteran is asked to provide records of her in-service events and any documentation related to diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. He is currently receiving the maximum benefits allowed under applicable statutes and regulations.,A separate 10 percent rating has been granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) associated with his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, an eye disability including glaucoma and a right eye injury, a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder including anxiety and depression, anemia, bilateral foot disabilities, and insomnia. The Veteran's hearing loss disability remains at Level I in each ear.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, but denied the remaining issues. The Veteran's stomach disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relation to service and/or asbestos exposure. His deep vein thrombosis of the bilateral lower extremity is also remanded as there are conflicting opinions on its etiology. Service connection for his lumbar spine disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion. The Veteran's right forearm and hand disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding causation.

The Veteran is found eligible for a TDIU beginning October 1, 2009. The Board also remanded the cases for further examination and consideration of SMC based on need for aid and attendance or loss of use.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and diabetes mellitus have prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment since March 18, 2011.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal as all claims for service connection have been granted in full, and no further issues remain.

The Board has determined that the claims for neck, back, right shoulder, and migraine disabilities should be remanded due to deficiencies in the medical opinion provided. The Veteran's VA treatment records and private treatment records from his primary care provider and a previous injury need to be obtained.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was granted a 40 percent rating prior to September 30, 2019. From that date, the claim for an increased rating greater than 40 percent is denied. The right and left lower extremity radiculopathy claims are both granted at their current ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, eye disability secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus type II due to incomplete service records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD has been reopened, and the Board grants this appeal. The issues of service connection for right ankle condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, back condition, sleep apnea, and numbness in both arms and the chest are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, as well as chronic sinusitis, due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their severity prior to October 13, 2016. The Veteran is also requested to provide additional evidence related to his sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a fractured right ankle was granted, with a disability rating of 20 percent effective from the date of the decision. The lumbosacral strain with spondylolisthesis claim remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that there was no in-service injury or disease and no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not provide STRs related to his claimed injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his back disability, are all granted with a 20% rating. The Veteran is also granted TDIU from September 19, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is granted as his preexisting condition was aggravated during active duty training.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's left knee disability, with the opinion being in favor of aggravation beyond natural progression.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities, which are currently service-connected.