Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's need for the regular aid and attendance of another person was granted effective April 25, 2020 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD, alcohol use disorder, low back condition, and bilateral knee condition have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for a back disability and tinea versicolor have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and low back disorder are being remanded due to incomplete development. The VA is required to obtain addendum opinions from the November 2019 examiner regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for various knee, spine, and shoulder disorders, as well as a respiratory disorder. The evidence does not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's right knee instability rating was reduced from 10% to 0%, effective December 1, 2015. The case is remanded for further review.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal, and thus has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran's left ankle disability was not addressed as it is a separate issue.,The Board found no current disability of the back, knees, or left ankle that could be linked to active duty service.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection and TDIU due to the appellant's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service injury or disease. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current condition began during service.

The Veteran's somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain, associated with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, is rated at 30 percent and denied for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions including respiratory disability, sleep apnea, back disability, seizures, and tinnitus have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The issues of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, low back disability, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran contends that he has a low back disability and shingles related to service. He reports injuries during service, but the records do not show treatment for these conditions.,Service connection is being remanded for both the low back disability and skin disorder (shingles).

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, asthma, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, hypertension, and heart condition have been dismissed due to the absence of a case or controversy.,Entitlement to service connection has been granted for lumbosacral strain with a 10 percent rating, asthma with a 30 percent rating, sciatic nerve and femoral nerve of bilateral lower extremities with a 40 percent and 20 percent ratings respectively.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for prostate cancer is dismissed. The Board finds that the Veteran withdrew his legacy appeals and now wishes to pursue them as part of a supplemental claim under modernized review system.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder rotator cuff tear and other orthopedic conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 14, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for new etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's back condition. The issue of service connection is being reconsidered.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that his current back condition was related to his military service, or that he could not secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.