Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, specifically whether it is related to her ACDUTRA service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, type II, asthma, sleep apnea and heart disability is remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The low back disability claim is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle disability, left ankle disability, lumbosacral strain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's assertions of continuity of symptoms since service were found to be less credible due to inconsistencies with medical records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, the maximum rating available.,The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU as there was no evidence showing that the Veteran could not secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for numbness and pain in the left upper extremity was granted. However, her appeals for other conditions were dismissed.,Service connection for OSA and low back disability were denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his claims for service connection and increased ratings, including those related to low back disorder, neck disorder, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, residual scar on forehead, and a temporary total rating based on convalescence for a back surgery.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and unspecified anxiety disorder. The Board found no link between these conditions and service.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder to include GAD and unspecified anxiety disorder. The Board determined that there was no nexus between the in-service psychoneurotic depressive reaction and the current diagnosed anxiety disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for appendicitis, depression, and low back condition due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide updated treatment records and undergo VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left leg disability, but has remanded cases involving his neck and back disabilities due to insufficient examination opinions.

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to outstanding private treatment records and VA medical records. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was denied. The right hand disorder claim was also denied, with no service connection granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected thoracic spine, cervical spine, and degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine. The right and left knee disabilities remain in dispute.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and a need for further development regarding whether the Veteran's current back disability is related to his in-service accident.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis from January 3, 2011 to June 5, 2019 is granted. The issue of a higher rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability but denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability.

The Board has denied service connection for non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and right shoulder arthritis due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her back condition and for service connection for an abdominal condition has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a mood disorder, related to military sexual trauma (MST), has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to non-compliance with prior remand directives and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for low back disorder, right knee disorder, psoriasis, degenerative disc disease and DJD of the lumbar spine, right knee patellofemoral syndrome with patellar tendonitis, and left ear hearing loss due to service aggravation. Right ear hearing loss was denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened for low back disorder and right knee disorder.