Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine strain was dismissed due to the death of the appellant before a decision could be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for lumbar spondylolisthesis with degenerative changes has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, effective October 1, 2009. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether her service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability, finding no new and material evidence that would establish a link between his current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is directly related to service or caused by his service-connected disabilities, including medications used for those disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the remaining issues. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility for specially adapted housing and financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only is granted. The claim for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed due to the addition of new VA treatment records since the last SSOC was issued in April 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the spine and clinically, lumbar radiculitis (lower back disorder) as incurred in service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with herniated nucleus pulposus and degenerative disc disease is granted a 20 percent rating for the entire appeal period, effective April 4, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine DDD/DDD as it was not secondary to a service-connected condition and there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service connection claim for lumbosacral strain was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, and noted the lack of contemporaneous medical records.,For the left shoulder disability, initial evaluations were denied as the evidence did not show manifestations during active service or any subsequent period on appeal.

The Board has vacated the part of its October 15, 2020 decision that denied a TDIU claim. The Veteran was granted a 40% rating for his back disability effective from December 13, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaption grant due to his inability to demonstrate permanent and total disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete service records and inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for lumbar spine residuals and left extremity decreased light touch were denied as the Veteran failed to report for necessary VA examinations without showing good cause.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 40 percent, effective December 9, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and memory loss (undiagnosed illness) have been reopened. The Board has remanded these issues due to the need for further development.,Service connection for hip disabilities, knee disabilities, foot disabilities, and thyroid disability are not granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and headaches secondary to hypertension, but denied service connection for other conditions due to lack of evidence or causal relationship.