Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's disabilities are related to his service-connected right foot disability, but the extent of any secondary relationship is unclear.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and degenerative spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.,Specifically, the Board determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of hypertension and degenerative spondylolisthesis did not have a direct link to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left elbow DJD with radial head fracture and lumbar spine disability have been denied. The VA has determined that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of the disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip condition, an acquired psychiatric disability (likely PTSD), and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claim to reopen his claims for bilateral hearing loss and lower back disability was remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for her lower back condition, finding that it is at least as likely as not due to an injury sustained during active duty service.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including verifying his service history and obtaining medical records. The claims are being remanded to allow for these steps.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for updated treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence added after the last decision by the RO, and a need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current back disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee disability, right knee scar, right knee instability, and lumbar strain, prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment prior to February 9, 2004. The Board granted the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for DDD of the lumbosacral spine, with implanted neurostimulator and scar is denied. The separate rating assigned for radiculopathy of the LLE as of August 4, 2016, remains proper.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including skin disability (chloracne), hyperhidrosis, fibromyalgia, bilateral knee disability, lumbar spine disability, epistaxis, and eye disability. The AOJ is instructed to complete all requested actions from the August 2018 remand.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and remanded it for further development. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted.

The claim for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine due to new evidence submitted by the Appellant.,Service connection is not granted for a respiratory condition as there is no credible evidence linking it to active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.,Her claim for new and material evidence to reopen a previously denied chest pain claim has been granted, but the case is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the rating for a low back disability and the TDIU claim prior to October 29, 2013. The reasons are that the examinations of record were inadequate due to missing range of motion testing results.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), loss of teeth as a result of Camp Lejeune exposure, type II diabetes mellitus as a result of Camp Lejeune exposure, and a headache disorder. The Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is conceded.

The Veteran's preexisting back condition was worsened during service, and the Board has granted service connection for a subjective back condition, chronic low back strain, and anterior wedging of second and third lumbar vertebral bodies.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability, service connection for bladder cancer and prostate cancer, and service connection for Parkinson’s disease. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and determinations regarding exposure to herbicides.

Service connection for neck disability, muscle spasms of the left upper extremity, face, and eyelids as secondary to neck disability is denied.,Right knee arthritis, mild osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, and bilateral foot neuropathy are remanded due to insufficient evidence.