Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's left ankle arthritis is granted as service connection. The claim for hypertension and degenerative disabilities of the lumbar spine are denied.,Further examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran had exposure to asbestos in service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee injury residuals and a lower back condition due to new and material evidence. The cases are remanded for further development, including scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is granted. The claim for SMC based on housebound status is denied as it does not meet the criteria due to his TDIU rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, hemorrhoids, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support the presence of these conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's applications to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions have been granted. The cases are now REMANDED for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, an increased rating for PTSD with depression, and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, bilateral knee disabilities including arthritis, malignant melanoma of the right arm, bilateral shin splints, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision also remanded issues regarding service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and back disability render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Board has restored a 20% disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected chronic thoracolumbar spine strain from October 1, 2018. The case is remanded to determine an increased initial disability rating higher than 20% for the same condition.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for various conditions and seeking initial ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings. The Board has remanded these matters to obtain additional examinations and evidence.,The Veteran is seeking an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability, hearing loss, psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depression), and lumbar disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and ear pain and dizziness. The decision also noted that prior to March 14, 2016, he was not entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report for assessing the severity of the Veteran's service-connected DJD of the thoracolumbar spine prior to June 20, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for discogenic disease, lumbar spine, status post hemilaminectomy at L3-L4-L5 has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral shin splints, knee conditions, and an acquired psychiatric condition due to potential worsening of his conditions since the last VA examination almost four years ago. The Veteran is also required to undergo a new VA examination for these issues.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for cervical spine disability is denied. A separate 20 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy is granted from August 8, 2007. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to June 16, 2011 is also denied.

The Board dismissed the appeals on all issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claim of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including his low back disability. The current rating for the low back disability remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability rating and service connection claims have been remanded due to insufficient examination reports and need for clarification of medical opinions.