Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence on file to decide the claim, and further development is necessary to determine if the Veteran's current lower back disability is related to his in-service injury.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including back pain, right and left knee issues, left ankle problems, right ankle issues, and hypertension. The Veteran's claims are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has granted increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied a higher rating for the low back disability. The Veteran was also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for award of TDIU and preclude substantially gainful employment, effective July 24, 2008. The Board finds that the entitlement to a TDIU is warranted for the period beginning July 24, 2008.

The Veteran's GERD, gastrointestinal disorders including diverticulosis, heart disorder including atherosclerotic heart disease and/or murmur, hypertension, low back disorder, and pes planus were not found to be related to her service in the Persian Gulf War.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, lumbar spine disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and tinnitus have been reopened. The Board found the January 2007 VA examiner’s opinion more probative than the physician's opinion in determining that these conditions are less likely due to his active service.

The Board has determined that the reduction in ratings for bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper and restored the original 20 percent ratings. The remaining claims of entitlement to increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right knee conditions are granted service connection. The cases of basal cell carcinoma, left knee disorder, and right shoulder or trapezius disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar strain and asthma due to outstanding VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran's conditions are related to his military service, but further evidence is needed to establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The claims include headaches, lower back issues, knee problems, and ankle/foot conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and depression have been reopened. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and a skin disability claimed as bumps-lesions arms and legs due to potential unverified service periods and need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to current shoulder, back, neck, and hip problems. The claims are being remanded for VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.,Both right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board determined that additional evidence regarding flareups or incapacitating episodes was needed for a higher rating, but did not find sufficient evidence to support such an increase.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence showing the Veteran's current condition was related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records. The claims will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's GERD was granted service connection as it began during active service. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's headaches, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and upper/mid back condition are all granted.,However, the Veteran's claim for service connection of his upper/mid back condition is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back pain and associated radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development.