Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims for service connection are not decided at this time.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a low back disorder, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.,A TDIU claim is also pending, as it relates to the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee ITBS was diagnosed during her active duty service and she is still currently diagnosed with right knee ITBS. The weight of the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran’s right knee condition is related to her in-service right knee problems. Service connection for right knee ITBS is granted. However, there is no evidence linking the left knee ITBS or back condition to active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the cases of right foot and left foot disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The cases of respiratory disability, back disability, and bilateral cataracts are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal as to all issues except for the acquired psychiatric disorder, which was remanded.

The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 15, 2018 for the Veteran's lumbar spine condition and has remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent from May 15, 2018.

All previously denied claims for service connection have been dismissed.,A noncompensable rating has been granted for bilateral ankle sprains since June 3, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for several conditions, and the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection, but his nose laceration residuals and right little finger injury are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for low back strain and left ankle sprain, finding that these conditions had their onset during the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate development. The VA must obtain updated treatment records, conduct examinations of the Veteran’s disabilities, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back condition, and bilateral knee conditions. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a respiratory disorder (including COPD), and a psychiatric disability manifested by occasional nightmares are denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition, low back condition, and right eye condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused or aggravated his erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder, knee, back, and ankle disabilities due to new evidence potentially related to service. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records or undergo a VA examination if necessary.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain. The Veteran's TDIU claims are denied prior to November 5, 2008 and after August 14, 2012.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for rosacea, peripheral artery disease, right knee strain, left knee strain, commuter bowel syndrome (IBS), disabilities of the lumbar spine and thoracic segments of the spine, and a right hip disability. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is remanded.