Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right hamstring disorder. The claims for left ankle, sacroiliac, lumbar spine, GERD, and pseudofolliculitis barbae disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not have their onset in service and were more likely due to normal aging processes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to ambiguity in the record regarding the extent of his neurological impairment, particularly with respect to the right lower extremity. The Board also noted that the issue of TDIU is intertwined with the rating assigned for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection of degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine was granted. The appeal is granted in part, as the Veteran's left knee patellar tendonitis with limitation of flexion and osteoarthritis and right knee patellar tendonitis with limitation of flexion and osteoarthritis are both remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for myalgia and myositis, a skin condition (blepharitis of both eyes), sinusitis, and a back condition have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The Veteran has provided evidence of current symptoms related to his in-service diagnoses but lacks sufficient credible medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The decision was based on the lack of evidence linking the current disability to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to missing STRs. The claim for service connection for DM2 is also being remanded as it requires additional development regarding the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.,For the right knee and left knee disorders, the Board found that there was no in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions, and thus denied service connection. The claim for DM2 remains pending due to the need for further evidence on herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for vasectomy residuals, lumbar spine disability, right elbow disability, left upper arm disability, bilateral CTS of the hands, and residuals of a vasectomy. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's low back condition is rated at 20 percent, effective September 1998.,The Veteran's left leg radiculopathy with sciatic nerve involvement is rated at 40 percent, effective July 7, 2017.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are all granted service connection. However, his low back disorder is not due to a service-connected disability, and his bilateral peripheral neuropathy is not related to a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence or conflicting diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating and TDIU due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability are being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's back disability appeal has been withdrawn. The right knee, left knee, and right foot pes planus disabilities have all been granted service connection. However, the right shoulder disability remains under review.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability is being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for nerve injury to his right upper thigh and lumbarthoracic degenerative disc disease (DDD). The issues of entitlement to these conditions are currently under review.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 26, 2012 for dependency allowance was denied as the required certification of dependents' status was not received within one year of a September 2000 notification letter. The Board found that there was no clear evidence to rebut the presumption of regularity in VA's mailing process and thus concluded that the September 2000 notice was properly delivered.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent for the period from October 24, 2018. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient examination reports regarding flare-ups of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, specifically workman's compensation records. The Veteran is asked to provide information regarding his work-related injury and any benefits received.

The claim for service connection has been reopened, but the issues of low back disability (including a fractured vertebra), neck disability, and right knee disability have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities, anxiety and depression, and low back disability. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right arm condition is denied.,The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his service-connected disabilities.