Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative lumbar spondylosis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as these issues involve secondary service connection. The VA examinations did not adequately address the Veteran's contentions regarding his back condition and mental health problems.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, left foot toe drop, and vision disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's current conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for lumbar strain due to incomplete medical records and the need for an additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's back disorder, including whether it is related to service or a congenital defect.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective May 10, 2011 based on the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The decision finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his lumbar spine disability and assigns an effective date of May 10, 2011.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders, finding that the current conditions are not related to service.

Service connection for hepatitis C is granted.,Service connection for liver disease other than hepatitis C is denied.,Service connection for a left shoulder disorder is denied.,Service connection for a low back disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder due to exposure to ionizing radiation and/or secondary to service-connected PTSD is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the VA examinations conducted in June 2017, and new examinations are required to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's increased rating for DDD of the lumbar spine is granted. The Board finds a remand is required to obtain new examinations and opinions regarding his cervical spine condition, left knee disability, and TDIU claim.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as they are not related to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with myositis.,There is no evidence showing that the Veteran's current conditions had their onset during service or are caused by his service-connected condition.

The claim for service connection for chloracne as due to herbicide exposure is denied. The claims for service connection for a mental condition, including an anxiety disorder and/or PTSD, also claimed as a substance abuse disorder; degenerative arthritis, including a lower back condition; and a 10 percent rating based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals because the Veteran passed away during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the aid and attendance rate.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding the Veteran's low back strain, specifically addressing the issue of additional functional loss experienced during flare-ups. The Veteran will be provided with a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted initial ratings, with the low back disability receiving a 40 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that there was no credible evidence of continuity of symptoms since his military service and concluding that the disability is not related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU due to inadequate consideration of his lay statements regarding the onset of his disabilities during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, but the back condition remains under appeal as new evidence may be needed to support the claim.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence. The Veteran's back disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.