Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee degenerative arthritis is denied, and his claims of service connection for a back disorder and sleep apnea are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The issue will be readjudicated, with an addendum opinion from the September 2019 VA examiner required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and back disabilities are service-connected, as his continued problems with these conditions since service are supported by credible lay statements.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ED as secondary to his service-connected back disability and for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of secondary service connection, and that the Veteran is currently employed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a low back disability to allow for further development, including an additional VA examination.

The claim of service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, atrial fibrillation, low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral hand disability.,The claims were remanded for additional development in March 2019.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the failure to provide adequate VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

Service connection for a heart disability is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.,Service connection for hypertension is granted as it is related to the service-connected heart disability.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed for the remaining claims, and a new VA medical opinion is required to address whether preexisting scoliosis was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and medical opinions regarding service connection, rating, and TDIU. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depressive disorder, diabetes, and lumbar spine disability are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability and for entitlement to TDIU due to the need for further development, including an appropriate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that it is not related to active service and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for low back and sleep disabilities due to insufficient evidence. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions, including whether they are related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its previous remand directives and thus requires further development for the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including lower back condition, jaw condition, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetic neuropathy, and infertility. The AOJ/RO must obtain VA treatment records from 1977 and 1978, as well as VA examination reports from February 1997, November 2007, and January 2008. They are also required to verify the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents in Okinawa.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination report and need for clarification on the nature of the Veteran's lumbarization of S-1. The examiner is requested to clarify whether it is a congenital defect, disease or disorder not of congenital/developmental origin. If it is a congenital defect, they are asked to determine if there was aggravation during service and if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the increase in severity is due to natural progress.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, neck, right ankle, right knee, and right shoulder conditions as there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support a finding of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, Meniere’s disease, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure and physical activities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.