Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated as compensable, and the Board finds no current disability for other claimed conditions.,The Veteran does not have a service-connected gall bladder removal or its residuals. The VA examiner found no symptoms associated with his gall bladder removal.,There is no evidence of a current right shoulder disability during the appeal period.,There is no evidence of a current left shoulder disability during the appeal period.,There is no evidence of a current left ankle disability during the appeal period.,The Veteran does not have a service-connected right knee disability during the appeal period.,The Veteran does not have a service-connected left knee disability during the appeal period.,There is no evidence of a current lumbar spine disability during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine is at least as likely as not related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was evaluated at 20 percent prior to June 17, 2016 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The current evaluations are found to accurately reflect the Veteran's symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service. The examiner must address the continuity of symptomatology since service and provide a complete rationale for each opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for back, neck, and left ankle conditions. The claims are related to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to comply with prior remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current back disability is secondary to his service-connected right foot disability. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine this.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis have been rated, but the claim for an earlier effective date for these conditions remains unresolved.,The Veteran's asthma has also been rated, but his claim for an earlier effective date is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and unclear notification of examination schedules.

The Veteran's low back disability, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, pityriasis rosea, tinea of the groin and feet, and stasis dermatitis are all granted service connection. The low back disability is presumed to have been incurred in service due to combat-related injuries. Service connection for the other conditions is based on continuity of symptoms since service.

For the initial rating period on appeal from October 22, 2012, a rating of 50 percent for a psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) is granted. Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a low back disability and right eye posterior vitreous detachment is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder and granted it, finding new and material evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The Board denied service connection due to lack of continuity of symptomatology since service and absence of chronicity.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbar spine disability and TDIU based on service-connected disabilities have been denied. Her lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and reactive airway disease with effective dates prior to January 30, 2017.,No effective date was assigned as the claims were previously denied in April 2005.

The Board denied an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The Veteran was found to have mild symptoms of numbness and paresthesias, which did not warrant a higher rating. His combined disability rating is 30 percent, below the threshold required for TDIU.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease was caused by or incurred during his active military service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions related to his lumbosacral spine is denied. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for left hand CMC joint arthritis, back disorder, skin disorder (psoriasis), anxiety disorder, right ankle disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and seizure disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,Further examination is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran’s current diagnoses.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bilateral hips due to a need for a new medical opinion addressing whether the appellant's service-connected knee and foot disabilities have aggravated his claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for low back disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's testimony at hearing was not supported by competent medical evidence.