Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death certificate shows he died from coronary artery disease due to congestive heart failure. The Veteran had symptoms associated with coronary artery disease and was diagnosed with angina while on active duty for training in the Army National Guard. Post-service records also show continued symptoms of coronary artery disease. For these reasons, and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that his coronary artery disease is directly connected to events in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 50 percent from May 30, 2018. Prior to this date, the Veteran was not granted a compensable evaluation.,Service connection for a back disorder and neurological disorders of the lower extremities are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hand disability, basal cell carcinoma, thoracolumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension.,There is no evidence of any current disabilities or symptoms related to these conditions during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for neurogenic bladder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his symptoms and their impact on employment.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU from June 13, 2017 through September 30, 2019 remains granted. However, a final decision cannot be rendered at this time as it is inextricably intertwined with the issue of a higher disability rating for neurogenic bladder.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU from October 1, 2019 is being remanded due to the need for an extraschedular evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's initial rating for thoracolumbar spine disability is denied, and he is granted a higher rating of 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy from February 11, 2019. He is also granted a higher rating of 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy from the same date.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examination reports and the need for additional opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as the evidence does not support that she was unemployed or unable to work due solely to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA medical examination reports and legal errors in their previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for her lumbar spine disability and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential worsening since the last VA examination, need for updated VA treatment records, and additional opinions on various theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back condition, to include as secondary to service-connected pes planus are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate development of evidence, specifically requesting that the Veteran resubmit private treatment records and obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his left clavicle fracture and upper back disability.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the Veteran's previous denial of these conditions in 2014 and 2016. The new claim is considered a reopening of those prior determinations.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service or any service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, vision loss as secondary to diabetes mellitus, headaches as secondary to diabetes mellitus, a back disability, neck disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, and right knee disability. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of onset during qualifying service or any related disease or injury in service.,The Board also denied service connection for these conditions based on secondary service connection to diabetes mellitus, which was previously denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for a left hip and thigh disorder, but denied the reopening of his claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder. The Board found that new evidence related to a current diagnosis of contusion in the left hip joint supports reopening the left hip and thigh disorder claim, while no new material evidence was received regarding the thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and headaches, but denied service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claim is currently pending.

The Veteran's claims for reimbursement of parking fees and monthly subsistence allowance, as well as his request for VR&E services including independent living services, are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,The Veteran has been provided with a thorough vocational rehabilitation evaluation that includes assessments of his current limitations caused by service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to perform in both his current occupational field and desired career changes.

The Board has not fully complied with previous remand directives and the appeal for service connection of back and neck disorders is being sent back for further development.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbar strain with scoliosis, osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The Veteran was unable to complete range of motion testing during a previous VA examination because he was in too much pain.