Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, as well as obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran is also being asked to provide private medical records from Cleveland Clinic.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left foot disability, left leg neuropathy, and low back disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The low back condition and broken nose claims were dismissed.,The Veteran had combat service in Vietnam, which is considered as proof of an in-service stressor for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is granted a separate evaluation of 10 percent for slight instability, but an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for painful motion is denied. The low back and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to his service-connected disabilities, including heart disability, respiratory disability, hepatitis C, anxiety disorder, lumbar strain, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, accessory navicular bone stress fractures of both feet, hypertension, and TDIU. The Board also noted that the Veteran's address has changed and requested appropriate action to reschedule him for VA examinations.

The Veteran's back disability, including lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome, was rated at 40% prior to October 10, 2019. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on PTSD, thoracolumbar spine disability, and cervical disability, as well as a TDIU rating were denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, but the appellant paid for his burial expenses and filed a timely claim. The Board found that the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits were met.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again as part of this process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and left knee degenerative arthritis. The decision is remanded to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and potential extraschedular consideration for the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury and resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including issues related to service connection and disability ratings. The case will be returned to the AOJ for consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental opinion from an orthopedic specialist to determine if the Veteran's preexisting scoliosis was aggravated by his active duty service, and whether it is at least as likely as not that he has been suffering from any form of scoliosis or a scoliosis-related condition during at least a portion of the period on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and a right foot disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted a 100% rating, effective from the date of this decision. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 40% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.