Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was denied an increased rating in excess of 40 percent from February 27, 2017 to the date of death. A 20 percent rating was granted for the period March 18, 2013 to February 26, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, bilateral knee disabilities, lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot condition (toe condition), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, left leg laceration, LUE peripheral neuropathy, and DMII have been denied.,No new evidence has been provided to support the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection claims for various conditions, as well as a claim for hypertension. The Veteran's tinnitus and back disability are presumed related to his active service, while the other conditions have not been shown to be directly related to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied, and the lumbar spine disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence that his current condition began during or as a result of active service.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for coronary artery disease were denied as they did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 40 percent effective September 23, 2019. The case is being remanded to consider additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is etiologically related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bladder disorder is related to his service-connected lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease. The VA examiner needs to provide a clear opinion on causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected low back strain does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and he cannot secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from January 31, 2013. The rating is based on the findings of a VA examination that showed limited forward flexion to 30 degrees with flare-ups.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various back, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hip conditions are granted. The claim for bilateral deafness is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition that could be linked to the current disability. The Board also found no evidence that the back disability was caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle disorder.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals for increased ratings and service connection, effectively dismissing the cases.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right leg muscle disorder, and left leg muscle disorder due to incomplete records. The Veteran is also requested to undergo a VA examination to address his diagnoses and etiology of these disorders.

The Veteran's tinnitus, lower back condition, and left ear hearing loss are granted service connection. The right ear hearing loss case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, left hip disorder, and erectile dysfunction due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip condition has been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as moot because the full benefit sought was already awarded. The Board also remanded three issues: an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reports of flare-ups and limitations on range of motion testing.

The Veteran's left foot fracture, patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and myofascial pain syndrome and degenerative disc disease (thoracic spine) are all granted as secondary to his service-connected left foot fracture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss that meets VA criteria.,Service connection for sleep deprivation was also denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition and functional impairment.