Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for residuals of right fractured talus and ankle injury and low back disability, finding that the preexisting conditions were not aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the low back disorder. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the pending service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, right foot disability, sleep apnea, headaches, lumbosacral spine disability, wrist disabilities, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service experiences are considered credible, but further medical examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar strain/myositis and service connection for a left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied as he did not meet the criteria to be considered unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for high blood pressure, acid reflux, and entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 23, 2018 have been dismissed. The appeal of the effective date earlier than April 2, 2014 for the grant of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, spondylolisthesis and spinal fusion, and for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right hip, and cervical spine disabilities based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service injuries.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support the claim. The current disability is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a sleep disorder due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology. The other issues remain denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative changes, lumbar spine as not related to her in-service injuries and found that it was not proximately due or aggravated by her service-connected right ankle sprain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected lumbar spine disability and for TDIU due to additional development being required. The issues will be readjudicated after any new evidence is considered.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed back condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral flatfoot, and right shoulder disability. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a duty to assist error, requiring VA to obtain relevant private treatment records from identified sources.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower cervical radiculopathy as secondary to neck and back disabilities, respectively, should be remanded due to a duty to assist error in the February 2019 VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck pain and degenerative arthritis of the spine (neck condition) and low back pain and degenerative arthritis of the spine (back condition).,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence linking current conditions to service or post-service events.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder claim. The Veteran's sister reported that she might have suffered from untreated depression and anxiety after giving birth while in service, and the Veteran herself reported having continued depression and irritability since then.