Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including back and knee disabilities, hearing loss, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The examination is required for these cases due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of recent medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's private medical records need to be obtained from specific providers.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for shin splints in both lower extremities, right shoulder post-operative scar (Diagnostic Code 7802), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been denied. The Veteran also has had his initial disability ratings for a right shoulder post-operative scar (Diagnostic Codes 7802 and 7804), left fifth finger fracture, and right elbow strain denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a cervical spine strain was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for a new one with additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, effective May 19, 2008. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation benefits for his dependent spouse and child was denied as the evidence did not show that he provided proof of dependents within one year of notice of the rating action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, back disability, and prostate cancer residuals are denied. However, the Veteran is granted service connection for prostate cancer residuals due to herbicide agent exposure during his Vietnam-era service in Thailand.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a left shoulder disability and service connection for a low back disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.

The Board has decided that the claim for service connection for a back disability, to include as secondary to service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, must be remanded due to inadequate opinion in the March 2019 VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a lumbar spine disability and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions, particularly related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA forms from the Veteran's last employer and private treatment records. The case will also be examined to assess the current severity of the Veteran’s back, neck, and knee disorders.

The Veteran's initial ratings for coronary artery disease and lumbar spine strain and DDD were denied. A 20 percent rating was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy as of September 12, 2019, and a 20 percent rating was granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy as of the same date. The Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected acquired psychiatric disability is effective April 10, 2013, and SMC at the housebound rate is also effective that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives, and is now required to obtain an addendum opinion from the Director of Compensation Services regarding a single extra-schedular rating for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for rhinitis has been denied as there was no prior claim received before February 23, 2012.,The Veteran's initial rating for rhinitis is also denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine due to a lack of recent VA examinations and new, relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bee sting allergy, lumbosacral degenerative disc disease (lumbosacral disc herniation), cervical spine degenerative joint disease, sleep apnea, and residuals of umbilical hernia surgery have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion, including service connection claims related to various musculoskeletal conditions, hearing loss, vision loss, and skin conditions. The heart condition claim was denied as there is no evidence of a current heart condition or any relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to incomplete development and need for new medical opinions. The Veteran's right knee was also addressed in a separate decision.