Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequacies in prior opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The matter is being returned for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a qualified medical professional.

The Veteran's back condition, along with other service-connected conditions like right knee and hip issues, prevents him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's right shoulder bursitis and lumbosacral strain are currently rated as 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively, but both conditions require additional examination and evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant's representative requested withdrawal of the appeal due to the AOJ granting a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for L1 vertebral fracture with lumbar spondylosis and cervical spine injury with cervical spondylosis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate May 2013 VA medical opinion and a need for another VA examination. The examiner will determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine was found to have manifested within a year of his final period of active duty, and service connection is granted. The claims for PTSD, major depressive disorder, diverticulitis, right kidney cyst, GERD, right foot disability, and left foot disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for lumbar back disability and left shoulder disability. However, both issues are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for her lumbar spine disability and for TDIU prior to September 1, 2016. The issues are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and rated at 10%.,The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection on secondary basis and rated at 10%.,The Veteran’s degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with myofascial pain syndrome of the thoracic spine is granted a rating of 40% prior to May 24, 2019 and thereafter.,The Veteran's chronic neck strain is granted a rating of 20%.,The Veteran’s left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a rating of 20%.,The Veteran’s right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a rating of 20%.,The Veteran’s left leg shin splints are denied.,The Veteran’s right leg shin splints are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back disability and bilateral hip disability, both secondary to service-connected left knee disability, due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between altered gait and hip disabilities and back disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depression), and a lumbar spine disability. The remand includes obtaining addendum opinions from VA examiners regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to his military service.

The Board denied a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) because the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, claimed as secondary to degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine with DDD, has been reopened. The appeal is granted in part and denied in part. Service connection for prostate cancer, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for hemorrhoids, and for a dental disorder. The AOJ is directed to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if his current low back disorder had its onset during or is otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was denied for a rating greater than 10 percent prior to October 20, 2010 and granted a 20 percent rating from February 1, 2011 to June 29, 2011. The appeal is remanded due to issues with service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and sciatica of the right lower leg, finding no nexus between these conditions and his military service. The case is remanded to obtain an examination to determine if the current sciatic nerve disabilities are related to in-service injuries.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and opinion, as the previous one was not fully adequate due to incomplete information.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD with major depressive disorder, but denied service connection for a sinus disorder and low back disability.