Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases of a bilateral hip disability and lower back disability for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left index and middle finger scarring was denied. Separate ratings were granted for painful scars of the left middle finger prior to January 21, 2020, and a noncompensable rating thereafter.,An increased rating for DDD of the lumbar spine is remanded due to inconsistency in the VA examination findings.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for lumbar strain was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and therefore, the claim is restored.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including providing a new VA examination and opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to issues related to the potential ameliorative effects of his medications on his lumbar spine sprain with degenerative arthritis and left knee patellar tendonitis with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, as the current evidence is insufficient to make a determination on the claims.

The Veteran's claims for respiratory, sinus, diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to insufficient evidence or lack of clear rationale in the previous VA examination. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are also being remanded.

Your claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been granted, but the issue is now closed as it was fully resolved in your favor.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and right leg thrombosis result in loss of use of both lower extremities, allowing for specially adapted housing. The appeal concerning eligibility for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as the Veteran has been found eligible for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate rationale in VA examinations and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or a link between the claimed conditions and his military service. The Board found no evidence of chronic lumbar spine disorder within one year after separation from service, nor did it find any evidence that the Veteran’s current symptoms are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, as well as a psychiatric disability. The AOJ is required to obtain VA treatment records from prior to 2009 and provide additional VA medical opinions related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II and lumbar spine disability due to a failure to develop these issues properly. The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder, right shoulder, and back disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder is being readjudicated due to the submission of new and relevant evidence, including a private medical record indicating current lumbago with left side sciatica. The claim will be remanded for further development, specifically obtaining an opinion on whether the current condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate, based on need for regular aid and attendance, or loss of use of the legs were denied as he does not meet the criteria for any of these benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma due to lack of evidence of actual exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a back disability and bilateral knee disabilities, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 4, 2020. The Board granted the TDIU claim effective from that date.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a low back disability due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his lumbar spine disability was denied, and the case is remanded due to incomplete development. The issue of TDIU prior to June 17, 2014, remains inapplicable as it pertains to an earlier period not covered by this decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for further review due to a need for a retrospective medical examination regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability from January 2010 to October 14, 2015.