Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, but the issues of service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for inguinal herniorrhaphy as he did not file timely notices of disagreement.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and remanded the remaining issues due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his left-hand disability and service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to May 18, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have at least as likely as not prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since June 22, 2011. The Board has referred the case to the Director, Compensation Service, for an initial determination of whether TDIU is warranted on an extra-schedular basis prior to June 22, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher schedular rating for his lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not show limitation of motion or functional loss sufficient to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding service connection for a back disability. The Veteran needs a medical opinion from an orthopedic provider to determine if his current spinal disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.,There is no medical evidence linking the current diagnoses to the Veteran’s military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a neck disability secondary to his low back disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back disability due to incomplete records and need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and a TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition and low back disorder, as they are related to his service-connected left knee disability. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for further examinations to determine if these conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, eligibility for automobile benefits, and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to potential new evidence and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for various conditions, including lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and PTSD, are being remanded due to additional evidence added to the file after a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his neck injury and other orthopedic conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination findings regarding the Veteran's lower back disability, and additional testing is required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to incomplete examinations, lack of proper measurements, and the need for additional opinions regarding his psychiatric disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's soft tissue sarcoma, inactive, with residuals of low back pain prior to December 10, 2015 was granted a rating of 10 percent. The issue regarding a higher initial rating for the condition from December 10, 2015 and onwards is not before the Board.