Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred during active duty due to a fall on a shipboard ladder in 1968.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle, right knee, left knee, right hip, and low back disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a left knee disability, right knee disability, and back disability due to inadequate medical opinions in the July 2018 remand. Additional VA examinations are needed.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for various knee and wrist disorders, as well as a back disorder. Additional development is needed through VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for a left upper extremity neurological disability and granted an increased rating of 10 percent for status post right inguinal herniorrhaphy with scars (inguinal scars). The low back benign intradermal inclusion cysts were also granted, but only prior to March 14, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and right shoulder strain have been granted. The claim for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted for the claims of service connection for back disability, left wrist disability, and right thumb disability. These claims are being remanded to allow for further review and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed sinus disability, sleep disability, low back disability, neck disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability. The VA is required to provide a new examination or opinion if it finds that the current evidence of record is inadequate.

The rating reduction to 10 percent for lumbar spine disability was improper, and a 20 percent rating is restored. An effective date prior to April 22, 2019 for the grant of an increased rating of 100 percent for MDD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress (also claimed as PTSD) was denied, and he is still rated at 70 percent. The Veteran also received SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, left knee pain, right knee pain, heart disorder (ischemic heart disease), bilateral hearing loss, and back disorder are all granted. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is remanded.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and no causal relationship to service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder, right ankle disorder, and left leg disorders. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including back, migraine headaches, vertigo, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right foot condition, and left foot condition due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracic scoliosis, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated by military service. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied as there is no competent evidence to support its occurrence within one year of separation from service or causation due to military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, including evaluations for radiculopathy in both lower extremities and left knee strain. The evaluation of right common peroneal nerve residuals is also remanded.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records to address the Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for neck, thoracolumbar spine, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left shoulder conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is secondary to his service-connected peripheral neuropathy.