Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, hepatitis C disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder due to inadequate compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right hip disability, back disability, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and leg radiculopathies, are not considered sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU from September 25, 2005, to October 29, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, respiratory disabilities, and gout due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bronchitis, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and diabetes-related neuropathy, were denied. The Board found no current disability as claimed in any of these cases.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the remaining issues due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 20% effective November 20, 2013. The appeal for a higher initial evaluation prior to that date remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 11, 2009. The Board denied the claim for TDIU on both schedular and extraschedular grounds.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between his in-service injury and his current condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for low back disability, so the issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and neuritis of the left lower extremity associated with this condition have been denied by the Board. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded this issue for further development. The TDIU claim prior to September 11, 2013, is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been evaluated based on their current manifestations. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, colon cancer, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected herniorrhaphy, residuals and TDIU claims.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's spine, shoulder, and knee conditions due to incomplete development of his treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability due to insufficient development and examination. The case will be returned to the RO for further development, including obtaining additional medical records, military service documentation, and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and failure to provide a statement of reasons or bases for its decision. A new VA examination is required to assess the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including during flare-ups.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and thoracolumbar DJD with IVDS are all found to be related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.