Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right and left shoulder disabilities, right wrist, left wrist, right ankle, left ankle, hernia, joint pain, and prostate cancer. The Veteran's prostate cancer was not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if his current back condition and lower extremity disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 30 percent rating. Service connection for cardiovascular disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, lumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and chin disorder is denied.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease. The case is being remanded to determine if the Veteran should receive an increased rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and recurrent pyelonephritis, did not render him unemployable prior to May 21, 2004. The Board found that his back disability was less severe than previously thought based on x-rays showing mild osteopenia with mild compression fracture of L4 vertebral body.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of low back disorder due to new and material evidence. The issue is remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's low back disorder is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, left foot, and right foot disorders due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran contends that his current conditions are related to pre-existing conditions or in-service injuries.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent effective December 1, 2011. The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the period prior to September 4, 2015.

The Veteran's back disability, characterized by unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine and at least six weeks of incapacitating episodes in any 12-month period, is rated at 50 percent effective October 21, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy is denied as there is no confirmed diagnosis of the condition during the appeal period.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for service-connected lumbar spine disability, but remanded the issues regarding left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at the highest available rating based on limitation of motion. The issue remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for bowel disorder, radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve, lumbar IVDS, and PTSD with anxiety, adjustment disorder, and depression have all been denied.,The case is also remanded to address the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) and urinary incontinence.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Lumbar Strain with Degenerative Disc Disease, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for kyphoscoliosis with lumbar lordosis and bilateral pes planus were denied as new evidence did not establish a relationship to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, respiratory distress, and chemical sensitivity. The Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his service or a service-connected right ankle sprain.,Service connection was also denied for respiratory distress due to an existing COPD attributed to smoking.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's reported stressor events in service, which are necessary to substantiate a claim of PTSD.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection, including those for a left shoulder disability, a disability of the thoracolumbar spine, TBI, and left testicular calcification. The Veteran's history of injuries in service is considered, but further examination is needed to address these claims.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disorders, specifically whether they are related to his service-connected left leg distal fibula fracture.