Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay assertions regarding in-service injuries and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 30% since the entire period on appeal. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (back disability) was initially rated at 40%, effective October 8, 2019 and denied for evaluation in excess of 40%. He also has hypertension which is rated at 10%.,The Veteran meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of low back injury, including chronic low back pain and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current symptoms and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and hypertension due to incomplete service treatment records. The RO must obtain all available service treatment records, including those from Schofield Barracks Infirmary in Hawaii from 1976. Addendum opinions are required regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and back disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and reopened the claims for right ankle and left knee disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain VA examination results and provide an opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected low back disability and his right ankle and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted based on increased severity since his last evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address her claims of service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent from April 2, 2014. The claim for an increased rating has been denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to an incomplete examination and lack of information regarding the Veteran's employment history and educational background.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left knee and lumbar spine, but denied both claims as there is no evidence showing a direct link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection due to his request to withdraw the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and headaches due to inadequate development and examination. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran’s service-connected right foot exostosis aggravated his lumbar spine disorder, and if the Veteran had any headache disorders during or related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition, finding that the current condition is not causally related to any in-service injuries and there are no continuous symptoms of degenerative arthritis since service separation.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD is dismissed.,Service connection for coronary artery disease, to include heart attacks, is granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a sleep disorder other than sleep apnea, left knee condition, and rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain. The Veteran's appeal is currently pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of STRs and the need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to deficiencies in previous VA examinations and missing medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the remaining issues due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for left ankle arthritis, left knee arthritis, DDD/DJD of the thoracolumbar spine, or DJD of the cervical spine. The Veteran's STRs do not contain any records indicating these conditions during his active duty service.