Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted at a 20 percent level prior to September 28, 2010. A higher rating is denied from November 1, 2010 onwards.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability and a lumbar spine disability, as well as the issue related to secondary service connection for the lumbar spine disability. The Veteran contends that these disabilities are related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining VA clinical records, authorization of private chiropractor services, and a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's urticaria, lumbar strain, and right leg disorder.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied.,Issues related to right hip disorder and left knee disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence on etiology.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for sensorineural hearing loss of the right ear, and entitlement to a higher rating for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current back disability and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, unsteady gait and dizziness, gastroesophageal disorder, respiratory disorder, and hypertension have been denied.,Service connection was not granted as the preponderance of evidence is against finding a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether it is related to an injury incurred during service.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for hypertension and granted service connection for a low back injury.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder dislocation, spondylosis of the lumbar spine with facet degenerative joint disease (claimed as bulging disc lower back), and glaucoma. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's low back disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The bilateral knee disorder and skin disorder are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional etiology opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg, right leg, right shoulder, and back disabilities due to incomplete STRs and a lack of documentation regarding the claimed motor vehicle accident.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ring finger, right hip, and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's representative withdrew their appeal for a higher rating of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for scoliosis has been denied.,The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee condition, bilateral feet condition, and low back condition. The issues of service connection for any psychiatric disorder (including MDD, PTSD, and anxiety), depression, and foot conditions have been remanded.

The Board has decided that the VA examination and opinion regarding service connection for a low back disability are inadequate, and thus remanded to obtain another examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, including whether it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence received after the April 2016 Statement of the Case, and for additional development including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, right knee disability, left knee disability, back disability, or skin condition (vitiligo). The claims for these conditions are being remanded for further development.