Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the Veteran's failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations. The issues of rating excessively in disability ratings and service connection for low back disability are being returned to the RO for additional examination and review.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable rating for right leg hamstring disability, surgical scar, right leg, and low back disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, MDD, adjustment disorder, and borderline personality disorder) due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and TDIU due to unresolved issues regarding the etiology of her low back condition and whether it was aggravated by her service-connected right hip disorder. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation due to inconsistencies and errors in the previous VA examination reports, particularly regarding the presence of radiculopathy.

The Veteran withdrew his claims of earlier effective dates for cervical strain, thoracolumbar strain, left hip strain, and right hip strain. The Board dismissed these claims as the Veteran withdrew them.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and have continued since then.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of low back disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's skin disorder, degenerative disc disease L5-S1 and bulge at S1-S2 (degenerative disc disease), and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were not found to be service-connected. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and bilateral pes planus, finding that these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome claims have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The appeals for initial compensable rating for the residuals of left gastrocnemius muscle injury and service connection for a low back disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to January 22, 2018 is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his ability to work. The Board finds a need for further medical opinions on the impact of service-connected disabilities and the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder on employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diverticulosis, lumbosacral spine strain and degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and endometriosis due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient medical evidence. The main issues are left foot disability, lumbar spine disability (secondary to a left foot disability), lung disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C. Additional records need to be obtained from SSA, VA examinations for left foot and noise exposure, addendum opinions on lung disability and hearing loss, and an addendum opinion on hepatitis C.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected.,Ischemic heart disease was denied due to lack of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral spine strain and headaches, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back, right hip, left hip, left knee, right knee, and right foot disorders are related to her active duty service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, left wrist disability, and left ankle disability. The right ankle disability is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including hypertension and coronary artery disease. The cases are being returned for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding these conditions.