Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine disability, and a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, effective October 15, 2019. The rating has been granted for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity (major), both rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her thoracolumbar spine disability and for additional retroactive CRDP payments. The claims are being returned to VA for further development, including obtaining an updated examination and conducting another audit of the Veteran’s account.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back condition is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lower back disability prior to December 18, 2015 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lower back disability from December 18, 2015 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected PTSD and a lower back disability prior to January 1, 2016 was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his alcohol dependence is not service-connected. The low back, hip, knee, and leg disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 2, 2011. An effective date of December 2, 2011 is granted for eligibility to Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in relying on a September 2013 VA medical examination and opinion, specifically for obtaining a new medical opinion that addresses the Veteran's lay statements regarding his back disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, left hand disability, right hand disability, lower back disability, and a skin disorder affecting the feet (jungle rot).,Service connection is not granted as there is no evidence that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a psychiatric disorder as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to the Veteran's service connection for a back disability, including arthritis. The remand includes verifying duty status during active and inactive duty training, obtaining a new VA opinion regarding an in-service injury, and obtaining SSA records.

The Board has granted effective dates of March 1, 2012 for the service connection of various disabilities including obstructive sleep apnea, neck disability, back disability, and bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, lumbosacral spine disability, bilateral hip disability, and residuals of a head injury. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his active service.,The Board found that the Veteran did not experience any current disability due to his claimed right shoulder disability, lumbosacral spine disability, bilateral hip disability, or residuals of a head injury which could be attributed to active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection. The low back disorder issue is being remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for extraschedular TDIU consideration due to the Veteran's thoracic spine disability impacting his ability to work. The rating for the thoracic spine disability remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for a left hip disability and back disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his in-service activities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left foot and right foot disabilities, lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy of the lower extremities, as well as increased ratings for these conditions. The appeals are currently on appeal due to outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is denied due to lack of credible evidence linking his mental health condition to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is denied because there is no current diagnosis and the medical records do not indicate an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is insufficient evidence of a current diagnosis and lack of credible evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent, with the requirement of regulation of activities not met.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for diabetic retinopathy status post bilateral cataracts removal is remanded as there is no current visual field impairment data provided.