Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right knee disability and service connection for his low back condition were both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting either claim.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder injury and psychiatric disability, but has remanded the low back injury claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability and TBI due to new evidence submitted since previous denials. The claims are now pending for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and opinions regarding exposure to herbicide agents, delayed onset hearing loss, and psychiatric conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a cervical spine (neck) disability, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Veteran's lumbar disc disease and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been rated, but his claims for increased ratings remain denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine DDD and left foot disability, including calcaneal cubid joint osteoarthritis and retrocalcaneal bursitis, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left femur malunion. The decision also grants service connection for left foot drop, which is now service connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the current low back disability is related to the Veteran's military service. An examination is required to determine this relationship.

The Board has denied service connection for a lung disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, effective November 24, 2016. Service connection for hematuria and voiding dysfunction (bladder condition) and menometrorrhagia (irregular menstrual disorders) are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral leg compartment syndrome, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The claim for increased rating of residuals of a ruptured left eardrum was also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for lumbosacral strain was granted but with a reduced percentage from July 24, 2013 onwards. Service connection for PTSD and gastrointestinal condition was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and its relationship to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. Additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were dismissed. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted, but the issue of SMC based on aid and attendance is still pending.

For the period from March 2, 2009 to January 10, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.,For the period from June 14, 2012 to January 10, 2018, the Veteran’s psychiatric disability was rated as total and his lumbosacral strain and headache disabilities were together ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right knee condition were granted service connection.,A 70 percent rating was assigned for the Veteran’s unspecified trauma related disorder.

The Board has returned the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities to the AOJ for further development due to issues with credibility of the Veteran's self-reported history and lack of physical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically whether it is related to service, caused by or aggravated by her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and/or bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for low back, cervical spine, and headache disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's complaints were acute and resolved with treatment in service, and arthritis was not shown within one year post-service.