Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and gastrointestinal disability, but denied service connection for a heart disability. The back disability is presumed to have started in service due to an in-service injury. The gastrointestinal disability is considered to be related to service as the Veteran reported symptoms since service. However, the heart disability was not found to be related to service or any other condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding no relationship between his current diagnoses and active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining her private medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, prostate cancer, headaches, and gastrointestinal disability. The remand includes obtaining new opinions from VA examiners regarding these claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated as 10 percent prior to June 10, 2019 and 20 percent from that date. The right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated as 20 percent since June 10, 2019.,Left knee strain was not granted a higher initial rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and missing records, including physical therapy records. The Veteran's thoracic degenerative disc disease with lumbar spondylosis needs further evaluation.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is rated at 20 percent since December 10, 2019. The Board denied an increased rating for his condition prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back condition, right knee conditions, and left knee conditions due to inadequate reasoning in the August 2016 VA examination. The case is returned to secure an addendum opinion that addresses whether the claimed conditions preexisted service or were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's low back strain disability is being remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with the Board finding credible his reports of in-service noise exposure. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected back condition is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, prostate disability, hemorrhagic fever (claimed as 'hemoratic' fever), ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and macular degeneration. The claims were based on direct service connection without any presumption or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and determine appropriate disability ratings. The claims are being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine disability, and for ratings in excess of 10 percent for diffuse degenerative joint disease of the right hand, index finger, long finger, and ring finger. The appeals were based on service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E services due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the threshold requirements of having an employment handicap, despite his master’s degree and over 20 years of experience in healthcare.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional information regarding his periods of active duty and National Guard service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for right eye, lower back, neck, and left leg conditions due to their withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depression), sleep apnea, hyperthyroidism, Barrett's esophagus condition, and high blood pressure or hypertension are remanded.

The Board has granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected low back strain, effective prior to September 27, 2016. The rating was denied beginning September 27, 2016.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions has been granted. The Board also remanded several issues related to the Veteran's disabilities, including cramps of the lower extremities, right shoulder disability, right wrist disability, memory loss due to a motor vehicle accident, cervical spine disability, joint pain, bronchitis, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including schizophrenia and depression).

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and scoliosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.