Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluations for hypertension and hepatitis A have been denied. The claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, left knee disability, and left hammer toe are remanded due to the need for additional records and medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his active service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support an increase to this level.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disorder, finding that his current left hip condition is not distinct from his service-connected back and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent since August 13, 2019. The rating remains denied as the condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is rated at 40 percent from June 29, 2015 to October 9, 2017.,The Veteran is also granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's back disorder, right hip disorder, and right ankle disorder have been granted initial 10% disability ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence other than his own statements indicating he has a disability related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and mandibular disability have been granted service connection. The lumbar spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, and bilateral foot conditions are being remanded for further review.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran's tinnitus and mandibular disability. Further examination is needed to determine if his current lumbar spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, and bilateral foot conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability and its relationship to his active service. A new addendum opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and DDD of the lumbar spine due to incomplete medical opinions in the record. Further development is needed.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disorder and an increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's neck disorder is not related to his active service. The VA examiner concluded that the current neck disorder is attributable to post-service work-related duties.

The Veteran's appeals for overpayment, service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for GERD, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and right leg disability (diagnosed as sciatica/neuropathy) are pending.

Service connection is granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and low back disability. The low back disability case is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for back disability, left leg nerve damage, and right leg nerve damage due to a January 2011 prostate surgery at James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa Florida.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine, left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to insufficient evidence from VA examinations conducted during a flare-up.

The Board has granted service connection for a curvature disability of the thoracolumbar spine and a left hip condition, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to active service. The decision also grants service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and bilateral hip disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of T8-T12 and remanded the issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 21, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his cervical spine disability and peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 23, 2008.