Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that there was no evidence of chronic in-service injury or disease and no continuity of symptomatology. The Board also found that the current degenerative arthritis is not related to military service.

The Veteran's initial 20% rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted from August 19, 2009 to March 29, 2017.,An increased rating in excess of 20% for the service-connected back disability is denied throughout the period on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability and that any symptoms she reported were post-service. The Board also found no evidence of a low back injury or disease during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder due to in-service exposure, as it was not addressed in the previous rating decisions and requires further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for lumbar spondylosis, service connection for a cervical spine disability and right shoulder disability, as well as his TDIU claim due to infeasibility of obtaining certain records and conducting necessary examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his right shoulder disability and lumbar spine disability, caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to PTSD, lumbar spine DDD, ED, and respiratory conditions. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected orthopedic disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and potential interrelatedness with other issues.

The appeal for service connection for a cervical spine disability is dismissed. The claims for increased rating of right knee scar, service connection for left knee disability (secondary to right knee), and service connection for low back disability (secondary to right knee) are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was withdrawn, and he is granted a 30% rating for chronic sinusitis. His right ear hearing loss disability claim is denied.,Service connection for functional gastrointestinal symptoms, fibromyalgia, bilateral knee disabilities, pseudofolliculitis barbae, bronchitis (chronic cough), chest wall disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.,TDIU appeal is dismissed. Service connection for erectile dysfunction, sinusitis, lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity nerve disabilities, and TDIU issues are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, other than schizophrenia and depression (to include PTSD and bipolar disorder), was denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his back disability was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and obstructive sleep apnea to include insomnia and sleep-wake cycle disorder, finding that there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from January 3, 2007, to April 16, 2008. The evidence showed that the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of in-service stressors and need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.,Service connection is denied for low back disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link to service. The Veteran's lower back disorder, skin cancer, and chronic bronchitis are remanded for further examination.,Service connection for a lower back disorder, skin cancer, and chronic bronchitis secondary to herbicide exposure in-service are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability and thoracolumbar spine disc bulge due to potential issues with service connection, including a need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and a need for updated medical opinions.

The claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Veteran's diabetes and related conditions are not found to be service-connected. The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for a low back disability, sciatic nerve, right lower extremity, and bilateral upper extremity diabetic neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected neck and low back disabilities, including how functioning varies with repeated use over a period of time or flare-ups.