Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for stomach disorder, recurrent cecal volvulus, and back disorder due to incomplete development of his service connection claims. The Veteran was not provided with adequate notice regarding the VA examinations scheduled for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and ankylosing spondylitis status post laminectomy and fusion, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the severity and functional impact of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 16, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with herniated discs at L4-5 and L5-S1 due to low back strain was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right foot and right big toe disabilities are not related to his service, as he was not on active duty or ACDUTRA when they occurred. The low back disability is also denied due to lack of evidence showing an injury during service.,Regarding the right hip or thigh disability, the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if a spider bite during service caused the current condition. For the acquired psychiatric disorder, the Board has found that more information is needed regarding the alleged incident in Ecuador.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran failed to report for VA examinations, which resulted in denial of his right ankle disability claim. His left ankle, lumbar spine, bilateral hand, and erectile dysfunction claims were also denied due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of dizziness, thoracolumbar strain (claimed as back pain), radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity femoral nerve have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and to obtain medical records. The issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left ankle joint replacement, post tibia-fibula fracture, and service connection for lumbar spine disability are being returned to the Board.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for further development regarding a TDIU rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates in connection with lumbar spine strain, right shoulder rotator cuff tear and dislocation, and osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lower back disability and associated radiculopathy due to inadequate examination, and the need for clarification of the Veteran's current diagnosis and etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, a back disability, and bilateral hearing loss were dismissed as withdrawn from the Legacy appeals system due to her election into the AMA review system.

The appeal for service connection for Bell’s palsy and a periodontal disability has been dismissed.,The appeals for service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, chronic dizziness, migraine headaches, dyspareunia, cervicitis, a cervical cyst, post coital bleeding, dysmenorrhea, and right wrist metacarpal fracture residuals have been remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence for his service-connected low back strain with spondylosis in 2010 and 2011. The remaining claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic low back strain and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with L4-L5 nerve root involvement, as secondary to service-connected chronic low back strain. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected chronic low back strain and whether other thoracolumbar conditions are related to in-service treatment or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further evidentiary development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine and lower left extremity disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, osteoarthritis of the right index finger, and tinea pedis with onychomycosis have been granted. The claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied.,Service connection has been established for these conditions based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine has been rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of limitation in motion or ankylosis.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease lumbar spine, finding that his condition is manifested by chronic pain but with no limitation of motion or functional loss and no persuasive, objective evidence of neurological abnormalities.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, including arthritis and degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back condition and its relationship to service, including whether it is related to his bilateral knee disabilities.