Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder and degenerative disc syndrome, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension claim for a compensable rating is denied, and the low back condition service connection issue is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease is related to his active service and the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a low back disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent from July 2, 2019 and the Board grants a TDIU effective July 26, 2012.,From July 21, 2011 to July 26, 2012, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination. The appeal will be considered on the merits once this is done.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been granted a 20 percent rating since January 13, 2020. The condition is manifested by pain and limited motion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for DJD of the left thigh, thoracolumbar spine, knee, and shoulder is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for psoriatic arthritis is also being remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions addressing its onset or relation to service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20% effective October 3, 2017. The claim for a higher rating remains denied after this date.

The Veteran's lumbar DDD is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 24, 2019. A higher initial rating of 20 percent prior to that date has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic low back condition during service or within one year after discharge. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including right and left lower extremity cold injury residuals, peripheral neuropathy due to cold weather injury, tinnitus, and cervical spine DDD, were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations and expert opinions, as well as potential need for additional record development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from March 14, 2007.

The Veteran's request for financial assistance to purchase an automobile and adaptive equipment is denied because he does not have a qualifying disability under the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.808.

The Veteran's emergency room treatment on January 27, 2014 for service-connected back pain and groin pain was approved as it posed a serious threat to his health due to the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The right inguinal hernia and left index finger fracture are both denied as not compensable.

The Veteran's back disability, bipolar disorder, sleep apnea, and migraine headaches are all granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disabilities.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension is denied.

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective from September 23, 2019. The decision found that this rating was appropriate due to additional loss of motion during flare-ups.