Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for Raynaud's syndrome, lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability due to insufficient development.,Service connection was denied for Raynaud's syndrome as there is no current diagnosis or functional impairment attributable to pain in both hands at any time since separation from service.

The Board has remanded the cases for a VA medical opinion regarding the total effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The AOJ is required to obtain this opinion and ensure that all prior remand directives are fully complied with.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back condition is denied. He was previously granted a 20 percent rating, but the Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate discussion of treatment records and failure to consider material evidence regarding neurological abnormalities. The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but a higher rating is sought.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, hypertension, and GERD are currently rated based on their individual service-connected conditions. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.,A TDIU is granted but subject to the law and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and back disability, finding no causal relationship to the Veteran's military service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher initial rating and effective date determinations due to the need to adjudicate the claim of entitlement to temporary total ratings based on surgical treatment of a service-connected lumbar spine disability requiring convalescence.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with cervical disc bulge, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to a motor vehicle accident during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not related to any service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic lumbar spine disability with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for a chronic muscle spasm disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected DDD and IVDS is denied as the evidence does not support the presence of incapacitating episodes that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disease and erectile dysfunction, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. However, it denied service connection for a right leg condition and lumbar spine condition.,For the right leg condition, the Board found no evidence linking the current disability to active service.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar degenerative joint and disc disease with residuals of lumbar fusion laminectomy, right lumbar radiculopathy, and left lumbar radiculopathy as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip and back disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his service as a paratrooper, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability, which may be related to his active duty service or secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back and neck conditions, finding that her symptoms began during active duty and have persisted since.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back, right knee, and left knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) is also granted on a direct basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete opinions and need for additional medical records. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20% rating effective August 27, 2019. His right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were also rated at 10% each from that date.