Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lower back and right ankle disabilities, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU), finding that he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder and lumbar spine disorders, but has remanded the issues of service connection for gastrointestinal disorder other than irritable bowel syndrome (GERD) and gastritis, as well as psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. However, his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.,The Board has found that there was no substantial compliance with prior remand directives regarding joint conditions and vertigo.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of fractures of the spine at T12 and L4, including thoracolumbar stenosis and spondylosis. The decision is based on a finding that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by in-service events.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board.,The claim of service connection for a left knee condition, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA Form 21-4142 and a need for an addendum opinion regarding bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total rating beyond October 31, 2011 due to post-lumbar laminectomy with fusion convalescence is denied as the evidence does not support the need for such an extension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychological condition (including anxiety and depression). The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The appeal for service connection for a neck disorder is dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for bronchitis and sinusitis.,Other claims have been denied or are pending, including those related to the Veteran's arms and wrists.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability aggravated his back and left knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for a skin rash and low back disorder.

The Veteran's low back disability was found to be less severe than the current rating of 10 percent prior to August 28, 2016. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc and facet disease with scoliosis, left knee instability, and left knee degenerative joint disease have been rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in the May 2015 VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting low back disability was aggravated by service. The examiner is requested to provide a clear and unmistakable opinion on this matter.

The Veteran's right leg radiculopathy and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were found to be present prior to March 29, 2013. The Board granted a separate evaluation for right leg radiculopathy from the beginning of the appeal period. The issues regarding IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle condition, lower back condition, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete development of his service connection claims. The AOJ is instructed to obtain missing service treatment records, conduct additional examinations, and provide adequate opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the current condition is not related to active military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) claims should be remanded for further development.