Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound due to a lack of evidence showing she is in need of regular aid and assistance or permanently housebound.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and inadequate VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various disorders are being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The claim will be reconsidered with a new VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for earlier effective dates related to service connection, TDIU, and Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including low back disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, lung disability, and left eye disability. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling new VA examinations, and addressing the etiology of the Veteran's claimed lower back condition and left knee strain disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, rating increases, and TDIU prior to July 1, 2019. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability was previously denied but is now being reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Board has remanded the claims for a disability rating for the service-connected low back disability prior to July 20, 2001 and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate VA medical examination and failure to address ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain has been remanded by the Board.,His claim for an increased rating of his service-connected tardive dyskinesia with Meige syndrome was denied, as there is no evidence showing a severe level of symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings in several areas, including cervical spine disability, acquired psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disabilities, and radiculopathies of the upper and lower extremities are dismissed. The Veteran’s appeal for TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has remanded both issues due to inadequate examinations in the previous decision. The Veteran's claims for a higher rating and service connection are now pending with new evidence required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disabilities due to incomplete records, including missing National Guard service treatment records. The Veteran is also asked to provide any private medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Veteran's appeal for a higher rating is denied. A temporary total disability rating was granted based on inpatient PTSD treatment from September 8, 2014 to October 31, 2014.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and left knee disabilities. The case is being remanded to provide additional development for the left knee disability claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for back and right foot disabilities due to outstanding VA records and the need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for lumbar spine disability, neurogenic bladder disability associated with lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of the disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional evaluations and documentation to determine his eligibility for VR&E services, including a change in the vocational rehabilitation employment goal, additional education in pursuit of an M.D., or other appropriate training.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right wrist, back, right ankle, and skin disabilities due to scheduling issues and the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, finding that these conditions are not related to his service-connected right knee disability.