Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, hypertension, headaches, and bilateral leg disabilities as the evidence did not establish an in-service injury or disease, continuity of symptomatology, or a nexus to military service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of diagnosis during the appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition and an increased rating of 40 percent for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. Further examination is required to assess current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from April 1, 2011 to November 18, 2015 due to service-connected disabilities. The rating period prior to September 25, 2010 did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and denied her claim for TDIU due to the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was granted. The claims for increased ratings of diabetes mellitus type 2 and peripheral neuropathy were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Epstein-Barr syndrome, eosinophilic esophagitis, migraines/headaches, lumbar spine disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, and eosinophilia due to insufficient evidence of current severity and manifestations. The Veteran is also requested to undergo a VA examination to assess his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbar spondylosis and bilateral lower extremity sciatica due to an inadequate medical opinion. The VA is required to schedule the Veteran for a new examination to address whether his conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, so his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and potential missing records. The Veteran's lower back disability is being reviewed again with new evidence and a fresh opinion.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's asthma was evaluated and found not to warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.,Service connection for the left knee condition, right knee condition, left foot condition, back condition, and COPD were all denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The low back disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), and gout are all being reviewed for their potential relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to clarify whether an M.B.A. degree is warranted based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and employment goals.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective January 8, 2020. The Board has remanded the issues of rating his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy as well as his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's back disorder is related to service, specifically his MOS as a radio repairman and repetitive heavy lifting of radios.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, and jaw disorder. The reasons included lack of in-service injury or disease, no continuity of symptoms since service, and insufficient medical evidence linking the disorders to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for recoupment of separation pay in the amount of $10,579.20 through withholding of VA disability compensation payments because only the left knee disability was compensable during his first period of service and thus only that part of the separation pay should be recouped.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, effective November 15, 2018. The Veteran's condition is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.