Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further review of new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including updated VA treatment records and medical receipts from February 1976.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions were dismissed due to their death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that new evidence submitted since the last final denial did not establish a relationship between his current condition and service. The Board also found no evidence of continuity of symptomatology from service to present.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for depression as secondary to the service-connected low back disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for cervical and lumbar spine DDD from 30 percent to noncompensable was improper, and the prior rating must be restored.

The Veteran's left knee tendonitis is granted as service-connected. The Board also found that the Veteran likely incurred multiple joint disabilities during his active duty, including shoulder, back, neck, and ankle issues, but did not find a direct link to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis status post L5-S1 laminectomy.

The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection for hearing loss in the left ear was denied as there is no current disability. The claim for erectile dysfunction was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.,Service connection for COPD and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded, requiring further examination and evaluation by VA clinicians.

The Board has ordered the remand of several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, including a request for higher ratings and whether new evidence supports reopening his low back disability claim. The right knee disability secondary claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether any additional low back disability is causally related to the Veteran's active military service. The case will be returned for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder is granted. The issue of whether the Veteran has rheumatoid arthritis, and if any identified lumbar spine disorders were caused by in-service events or originated during service, will be remanded.

The Veteran's recurrent herpes genitalis is granted an initial compensable rating, and his low back condition is granted service connection. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete VA treatment records and to obtain a retrospective assessment of the Veteran's lower back disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is now service-connected, but his low back and left lower extremity radiculopathy claims are remanded for further development.,The examiner will determine if the Veteran’s lumbar degenerative joint disease and herniated nucleus pulposus are related to his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA due to inextricably intertwined issues. The case must be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for service connection of the acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's cervical strain and thoracolumbar strain have been rated at 20 percent since December 23, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.,The Veteran has service-connected rheumatoid arthritis which contributes to his symptoms of neck pain and back pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine disability and entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran is required to be provided with a new VA back examination.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease L4-5 with generalized disc bulging and disc protrusions (lower back injury) due to lack of a causal link between the current disability and service.,The Board also denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy secondary to lower back injury as there was no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and hemorrhoids due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.