Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and treatment records, and further evaluation is needed to determine if a lumbar spine disability is related to service or other disabilities.

The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent prior to June 6, 2018 and denied a higher rating. His left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy was also rated at 10 percent prior to June 6, 2018 and denied a higher rating. The Veteran's left lower extremity femoral radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent from August 17, 2018 and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to April 7, 2013 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran is also seeking TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or IVDS.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's preexisting back injury was aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right lower extremity atrophy due to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability. The other issues regarding ratings for lumbar spine, left knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease and residuals of a low back injury have been granted service connection due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange. The remaining issues on appeal are left leg, left shoulder, and right wrist disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for right shoulder disability, bilateral foot disability (claimed as a bilateral foot infection), fibromyalgia, respiratory disability, and gastritis with hiatal hernia are all remanded due to insufficient evidence on their merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for back injury, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service slip-and-fall incident. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran’s lumbosacral spine disability began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the lower back condition, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding Social Security Administration (SSA) records and potential VA medical opinions.

The Board denied increased ratings for left knee disability and lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include low back, right wrist, left ankle conditions, and respiratory conditions.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a low back disorder, right hip disorder, and right knee disorder. The remand requires obtaining additional medical records and providing an examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and sleep apnea were denied as there is no current disability, the evidence does not establish in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions, and the Veteran did not serve in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings and TDIU due to service-connected lumbar spine IVDS, as well as the earlier effective date claim. The Veteran is asked to provide any additional evidence related to his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for GERD and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) in the lumbar spine.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, including degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his combat service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA and/or private treatment records, schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination(s) to determine his need for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, and address whether he meets the criteria for special monthly compensation.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings and the need for additional evidence, including medical records and information about functional loss.