Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, bilateral hip disability, and jaw disability. The Veteran's symptoms were present during service and continue to this day.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbosacral strain is related to his active service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including left shoulder, neck, back, hip, foot, knee, esophageal (GERD), ankle, psychiatric (PTSD), and heart disorders. The Board found that these conditions were not related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability during a specific period of time.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back disability, as it is unclear whether the condition was caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis. The examiner needs to provide an opinion on this matter.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for a higher disability rating, leaving no issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the complexity of his conditions and the need to consider all relevant evidence, including statements from those who served with him.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to July 24, 2006. The condition is rated based on painful motion and degenerative arthritis without actual limitation of motion.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity affecting both sciatic and femoral nerves are rated at 40 percent, effective May 1, 2019. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. A TDIU has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete development of records, including a lack of proper range of motion testing. The Veteran is also in receipt of SMC benefits which have rendered moot his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient testing regarding pain during non-weight bearing activities and passive range of motion. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic lumbar strain is now pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for TBI, back disorder, and GERD due to new evidence received since the final denial in September 1998. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for GERD is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar arthritis, radiculopathy, right knee DJD, and left knee DJD.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis with spondylolisthesis and cervical spine degenerative joint disease have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each, effective January 9, 2018. The issues are considered resolved.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, diabetes mellitus, and sleep apnea due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for new examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck pain is likely due to his military service, specifically a helicopter crash in 1969. As such, the claim for service connection for neck pain is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of her service treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and sciatic nerve disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, but the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 have not been met as he did not meet the total disability rating requirement.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for cubital tunnel syndrome and service connection for a back condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.