Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and for a higher rating for lumbar spine disability due to outstanding VA records from federal correctional facilities.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current back condition and his military service, concluding that any chronic back disability is more likely due to natural aging rather than service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability has been reopened, but the case is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and consideration of Gulf War criteria. The specific issues are related to bilateral shoulder, wrist and hand, low back, knee, ankle and foot disorders as well as tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lumbar spine, bilateral finger, bilateral knee, bilateral leg, and bilateral foot disabilities. The examiner concluded that the current diagnoses were not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of certain issues.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40 percent for the period from March 9, 2010 to July 1, 2013.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings of lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left shoulder disabilities due to a withdrawal request by the Veteran and her representative.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a low back disability, TBI, PTSD, and migraine headaches. The specific issues include reducing the rating for TBI from 40 percent to 10 percent effective January 1, 2014; combining the separate ratings for PTSD and TBI into a single 50 percent rating; restoring the prior 10 percent rating for TBI; and reducing the rating for migraine headaches from 50 percent to 0 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his service, and if so, whether it was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including headaches, hypertension, lumbar strain, cervical fusion, and radiculopathy. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records from the Veteran's treatment providers.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that his current condition is not related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for a left thumb disability and denied higher initial ratings for left knee strain, lumbosacral strain, and instability. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain in excess of 40 percent from July 27, 2015 was denied. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is not service-connected as it did not start during service and is not related to his bilateral foot disability.,Major depressive disorder has been established as a result of military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of multiple conditions were granted effective October 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left hip disabilities are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 17, 2017 for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development.

The Veteran's right total knee replacement is rated at 60 percent since August 1, 2020. The Board also granted eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.