Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain prior to February 2, 2015 and from that date. The case is now before the Board again.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted, with a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.,Service connection for cervical and lumbar disabilities is remanded due to the need for additional records from SSA.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to service. The examiner must address continuity of symptoms since service and whether the condition manifested prior to a post-service work injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is dismissed.,Service connection for the respiratory disability, to include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), granted based on exposure to asbestos during service. The low back disability was also granted as service connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.,The claim for sleep apnea is being remanded as there was insufficient consideration of the Veteran’s in-service symptoms and post-deployment treatment history, along with his current testimony about gasping for air during sleep.,The claim for headaches is being remanded due to the lack of a clear opinion regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are related to Gulf War service or an undiagnosed illness.,The claim for allergic rhinitis is being remanded because there was no examination addressing the potential link between the condition and Gulf War service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and arthritis of the left shoulder, finding that these conditions were aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and denied a higher rating for his right hand disability. The left hand disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the current condition did not have onset during service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral flat feet, ankle osteoarthritis, knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spine disability due to non-compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar strain as secondary to service-connected disabilities and granted a 30 percent rating for right knee PFS and left knee PFS from August 16, 2011 to April 16, 2019.

The Veteran's IVDS with degenerative arthritis and lumbar strain is currently rated at 20 percent prior to February 12, 2020 and remanded for further evaluation. From February 12, 2020 forward, the Veteran's condition remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to outstanding medical records and further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine condition is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disease and PTSD, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the February 2018 decision, including not providing analysis for a separate rating for a neurologic abnormality and inconsistencies in the analysis of evidence from May 17, 2012. The Veteran must be afforded another examination with a physician to assess his lumbar spine disability and any neurological manifestations.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, finding that the evidence did not establish an in-service injury or disease and no link to current symptoms.

The Board has denied service connection for dizzy spells and headaches, finding that the current symptoms are not related to the in-service episode of vasovagal syncope and closed head injury. The claims for sciatica with scoliosis of the lumbar spine, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and bilateral foot condition are remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and lower back condition, both related to the Veteran's active duty service. Service connection for gastrointestinal condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.,The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened due to new and material evidence, but a higher rating is still denied.,An effective date earlier than July 8, 2014 for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is denied.,A TDIU is granted from June 3, 2019 onwards, but not prior to that date.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine disability remains in appellate status.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right ankle disabilities, as well as his request for increased ratings for left knee instability and painful flexion.,Service connection was not granted due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.