Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current low back disabilities are caused or aggravated by an in-service injury during INACDUTRA service. A new examination and opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability was denied. The disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective from September 30, 2019.

Your appeals for service connection and TDIU have been dismissed as you withdrew your appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination of his service-connected lumbar spine, right hip, right ankle, and right knee disabilities. The issues include increased evaluations for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed all pending claims due to the death of both the Veteran and his surviving spouse.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran was gainfully employed during the period prior to January 4, 2012. Therefore, a TDIU for this period is denied.

The Veteran's lower back disability, including IVDS and DDD lumbar spine L2-L3 with foramen narrowing L4-L5, was rated at 40 percent effective January 30, 2018. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The appeal for increased evaluations of the service-connected lumbar spine disability and surgical scar is dismissed.,The appeals for initial compensable evaluation for a surgical scar of the lumbar area prior to January 26, 2013, and initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a surgical scar of the lumbar area on or after January 26, 2013 are dismissed.,The appeal for entitlement to TDIU prior to December 31, 2013 is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected back disability and to address the issue of whether he is entitled to a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of low back degenerative disk disease, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The right ankle disability is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the left shoulder and left ankle disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and left-hand disorder, finding new and material evidence. The claim of entitlement to an effective date prior to May 30, 2012 for posttraumatic stress disorder is also remanded.,VA treatment records from before November 2011 have not been obtained, nor are there indications that such records have been requested. Additionally, the Veteran's Social Security Administration records and any medical records related to his reported fall from a tank in service need to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his back disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 60 percent, and he was also denied SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to non-service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for further development, including additional VA examinations and clarifying medical opinions. The Veteran's claims are related to his military service but the evidence is insufficient to establish a direct link between his conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, lumbar spine strain, sciatic neuropathy of both lower extremities, femoral neuropathies, and right shoulder DJD. The issues have been referred to include a new examination to determine whether the Veteran currently suffers from diabetes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no competent and credible evidence establishing a connection between his in-service injury and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine foraminal narrowing at L4-5 and total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to due to incomplete development. The Veteran is currently shown to have multiple service-connected disabilities, but his combined rating does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU.