Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, including obtaining updated treatment records and addressing whether any spinal surgeries since June 2013 required convalescence.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for postoperative left spermatocele and minimal lumbar degenerative arthritis due to incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as he was able to secure and maintain employment in the past.

The Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected, and the Board finds that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and military service.,The Veteran's left shoulder arthritis and bursitis are also not service-connected, as they did not begin during or within one year after service, and continuity of symptomatology has not been established.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected lumbar spine strain and posttraumatic arthritis of the left humeral head with rotator cuff tear were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted service connection for accrued benefits purposes.,Service connection was also granted for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the case as they have no jurisdiction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an abdominal aortic aneurysm disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic or long-term conditions during active service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for increased ratings for his coronary artery disease (CAD) disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and PTSD, as well as his requests for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right shoulder pain syndrome, and left shoulder strain have all been denied. The appeal is also remanded for further action on several other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for low back intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient compliance with previous remand instructions and potential impact on other diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disorder, COPD, left knee disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as diverticulitis), skin disorder (claimed as eczema), and polymyositis due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various spinal disabilities were denied. The cervical spine disability was not found to be related to service, while the lumbar spine, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and femoral nerve radiculopathy issues did not meet the criteria for higher initial rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a right below knee amputation and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as an increased rating for cervical spine disability. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to August 2, 2012 was also denied.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be examined for his low back disability and to provide information regarding its severity, frequency, and duration. The remand is due to the lack of an examination in the current record.

The Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to combat service and has been granted as service connected.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a higher initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with degenerative disc disease, as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to the decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, TDIU, and nonservice-connected pension benefits due to insufficient examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.