Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine with mild scoliosis convex, but has remanded the issue of service connection for Gout due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral shin splints, low back disability, left and right knee disabilities due to new evidence received since previous decisions. The claims for PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate efforts by VA in obtaining his private medical records. The Veteran is required to provide updated, legible forms and VA must attempt to obtain all relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis has been granted, with a 40% rating effective from December 23, 2010. The TDIU claim is also remanded.,A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from December 23, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical strain and lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, and nervous conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for degenerative lumbar disc disease and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examination findings.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, and the Veteran should be afforded new VA examinations for his PTSD and back disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure.,His decreased facial sensation is presumed to be associated with his service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient analysis of functional impairment and lack of consideration of lay statements regarding service-related back pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for cervical spine DDD and chronic lumbar strain due to deficiencies in the VA examination reports, particularly regarding range of motion testing. The Veteran is requested to provide additional information and evidence, and a new VA examination will be arranged.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The examiner is requested to address the continuity of symptoms, lay statements, and provide a rationale for their opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The lumbar spine disability and persistent depressive disorder prior to August 20, 2018 are not rated higher than their current levels.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder avulsion injury and lumbar spondylolisthesis with degenerative disc disease have been denied. The VA has determined that the current disability ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be etiologically related to service, while his lumbar degenerative disc disease is not.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for service-connected mechanical low back pain with traumatic arthritis is denied. The case is remanded due to the need for further development regarding his TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine strain and left shoulder strain as there was no evidence of a nexus to service, with the VA examiners concluding that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back condition and left knee condition, finding that new examinations and etiological opinions are needed due to incomplete medical records and conflicting evidence.

The Veteran is granted service connection for right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, effective June 13, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.