Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's lumbar joint disease with degenerative arthritis of the spine is being reviewed for a higher disability rating.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disability and granted it, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not caused by his in-service injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease with bulging at L5-S1 on an aggravation basis and bilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, secondary to lumbar degenerative disc disease with bulging at L5-S1.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and chronic right-hand condition due to insufficient evidence in the original decision. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his military service are considered, but additional medical opinions are needed.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The initial rating for service-connected lumbar strain has been granted at 40 percent from April 24, 2019.,Service connection was denied for erectile dysfunction, hiatal hernia/GERD, headaches, PTSD, joint problems, fatigue/shortness of breath, and TDIU.

Service connection granted for neurological disorders of the RUE, LUE, RLE, and LLE due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.,Service connection denied for low-mid back disorder, neck disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and sleep disorder.

The Board has added new medical evidence to the record and has decided that some of the Veteran's claims for service connection need to be reconsidered. The issues have been remanded for further action.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disorder and back disorder, but has remanded both issues due to a lack of VA assistance in obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, and TDIU due to inadequate examination and medical opinion in the prior decision.

The Board has decided that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, and therefore remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is rated at 40 percent effective April 16, 2015. The rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the lumbosacral strain disability remains unchanged.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracolumbar compression fracture, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder) are all granted service connection. Secondary service connection is also granted for COPD, grand mal seizure disorder, osteoporosis, vertigo, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded to obtain missing records and provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations.

The Board has granted the request to reopen a claim for service connection for a back condition and has remanded both the issue of reopening the claim and the issue of increasing the rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and his cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent. Both disabilities are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, resulting in a current 40 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development. The Board finds no basis for granting any of the requested benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to inadequate VA examinations, lack of private treatment records, and need for additional opinions on causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back strain have been reopened, but the appeals are remanded due to new evidence received since the prior denial. The VA is required to obtain private treatment records and conduct further examinations to determine if there is a link between the disabilities and military service.