Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his service-connected low back disability and denied his claims for service connection of right knee and left knee disabilities due to lack of current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraines was denied as the evidence did not show that his headaches were very frequent and completely prostrating, resulting in severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and incomplete paralysis of the right femoral nerve associated with intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative changes are remanded as the VA examination did not address flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information and need for additional medical opinions. The issues of PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, headaches, left foot disability, right foot disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are all remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and increased rating claims due to new evidence received after previous decisions. The Veteran is entitled to a compensable rating for hypertension, but additional development is needed as no SOC was issued regarding this issue. He also needs an examination to determine the current severity of his hypertension. Other issues are remanded for further action.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis as of September 6, 2010, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from all substantially gainful employment prior to December 2, 2014.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including his service-connected psychiatric disorder and left knee disability, as well as his claim for psoriasis. The Veteran is also seeking to reopen a previously denied claim for spondylosis of the lumbar spine. Additionally, he seeks TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for urinary retention and remanded several other claims due to new evidence. The back disability, gastritis/GERD, chest pain, dizziness and blackouts, headaches, right shoulder disability, and right elbow disability claims are all being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including degenerative disease. The decision finds that the current disability is related to active military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, cervical radiculopathy, right shoulder disorder, right upper extremity scars (armpit scars), back disorder, and right leg sciatica, as they were not related to the Veteran's period of honorable service from September 6, 2005 to November 25, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a direct link to service. The issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was dismissed as moot due to the Veteran's already established high disability rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, which is secondary to his service-connected low back strain, needs further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hip, shoulder, and low back disorders did not manifest during service or as a result of in-service injury. Service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease and in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to insufficient examination findings regarding flare-ups.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is currently rated at 10 percent prior to July 8, 2014 and 20 percent beginning from July 8, 2014. The cervical spine and right ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.,Service connection for the lumbar strain disability and TDIU prior to January 4, 2013 is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of her low back disability. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion from a medical expert.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to inconsistencies in the record regarding private treatment records, as well as a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's low back disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also being addressed as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating assigned for the service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo a VA examination and for efforts to obtain his private treatment records. Additionally, TDIU is being remanded due to evidence of unemployability related to his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, have prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and obtain additional records in order to properly adjudicate his claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).