Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for DJD of the right shoulder, DJD of the left shoulder, and arthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine. The conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for adhesive capsulitis of the left shoulder and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine with left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's in-service injury or his service-connected brachial plexus neuropathy. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, and will consider them again after obtaining VA medical opinions.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spondylosis with displacement of lumbar intervertebral disc. The appeal is being remanded due to a failure to obtain all available VA treatment records related to the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are denied. The Board found no evidence linking the claimed disabilities to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 20 percent effective April 23, 2009.,Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity remains rated at 10 percent prior to August 21, 2018, and 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition due to new and material evidence submitted since the final November 1980 rating decision. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent disabling prior to May 31, 2013, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence and testimony indicating that his knee and back disabilities have worsened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his cervical spine condition and lumbar spine disability due to incomplete medical records and failed VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease is related to his military service. The Veteran needs to be examined to determine if his current condition is linked to his in-service activities.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disability and back disability, which share a common etiology. The combined rating of the two conditions meets the threshold requirement for a TDIU on a schedular basis. However, the RO should again consider the claim for entitlement to a TDIU prior to February 27, 2014.

The Veteran's sinusitis disability is granted. The Veteran's depression NOS and restricted breathing condition (asthma, dyspnea, vocal cord dysfunction) are granted with a specific rating. Other conditions like vitiligo, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, cold injury of bilateral hands, and hemorrhoids have been assigned appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if it warrants an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of low back and facial skin conditions is dismissed. Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board has remanded the issues of respiratory condition, psychiatric disorder, finger condition, and shin splints for further development.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claims for his cervical spine disability are remanded due to the need for a complete record and updated examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and his active service or any service-connected disability.,The Board also remanded the issues regarding right knee and hip disabilities due to insufficient opinions in the most recent VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for initial evaluations of his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining complete SSA records and scheduling a VA medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to February 28, 2011 are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.