Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected lumbosacral strain with spondylosis for further development, including an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to perform sedentary work.

The Board has granted service connection for lower lumbar strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is a continuation of his back sprain from service and resolving all doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that the etiology of both conditions is inconclusive.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, heart disability, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, liver disease, low back disability, and sleep apnea, all claimed as secondary to service-connected encephalitis. The remand requires additional medical opinions addressing whether these conditions were aggravated by or caused by the service-connected encephalitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and incomplete records. The issues include right knee, lumbar spine, neck, hypertension, and left eye disorders.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability and has determined that he is entitled to service connection based on chronicity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's headache disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD, sinusitis with epistaxis, and residuals of a nasal injury. The compensable initial rating for the residuals of a nasal injury is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and denied service connection for a back disability. The decision on the back disability is based on the lack of evidence of chronicity in service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis is rated at 40 percent, and his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 20 percent.,Service connection for sleep apnea has been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of left and right knee meniscus tears as well as a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and bilateral pes planus was granted, with an effective date set at December 2, 2003.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left foot toe fractures, right knee disorder, and right foot disorder are denied as they are not considered to be related to his low back strain or any other service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, lumbosacral strain, and adjustment disorder with anxious and depressed mood as there was no evidence showing that his conditions warranted a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking his current tinnitus to active service. The Board also denied a higher initial rating for his lumbosacral spine disability, stating that the symptoms do not warrant an increase in the currently assigned 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's exposure to hazardous noise during service was noted, but this did not result in hearing damage or tinnitus. His current tinnitus is considered normal and within expected limits.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Panic Disorder was granted a rating of 70 percent. The issue of an increased rating for lumbar scoliosis with strain is being remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran did not have an in-service injury to his lower back and that his current condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection as it was aggravated by his military service. The claims for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression), and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations. The underlying claim for a back disability is also being remanded.