Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination and reliance on incorrect premise in reaching a medical opinion. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's low back pain is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and sciatic nerve disabilities were denied as the medical evidence did not show that these conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, obstructive sleep apnea, and right hip disability are granted as secondary to his service-connected residuals of bilateral feet frostbite injuries. The claim for DDD of the lumbar spine is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disability and an initial rating for left thigh muscular strain due to potential issues with the current evidence of record, including lack of compliance with VA examination requirements.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis, lumbosacral strain, and scoliosis are granted service connection. The respiratory disorder (asthma) and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety) claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was granted. The Board also remanded several other issues related to the Veteran's claims, including those involving right foot hallux valgus, left shoulder disability, GI condition, low back disability and radiculopathy, hip disabilities, erectile dysfunction, Achilles' tendon conditions, foot conditions, gout, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot disability, sinus disability, bladder disability, and low back disability due to unclear notification of scheduled VA examinations. Additional development is required to ensure that the Veteran receives proper notifications and scheduling.

The Veteran's lumbar DDD was rated at 10 percent prior to April 29, 2019 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Board denied an increased rating for the condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left hip and right hip osteoarthritis were denied as the evidence did not show that he was unable to cross his legs over each other, which would warrant a separate rating.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease was denied because the symptoms did not meet the criteria for any additional compensable ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back condition is etiologically related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for a left hand carpal injury, low back disorder, venereal warts, tinea versicolor, and right knee injury. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these claims.,Service connection for a left wrist disorder remains pending as the Veteran's claim was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold injury to the right and left upper and lower extremities, as well as lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) has been granted.,Service connection is established for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The initial rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic back disorder, PTSD, and TBI. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease with chronic lumbosacral strain prior to August 16, 2019 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease with chronic lumbosacral strain was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's service connection claims are not related to a presumption or new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, finding that it existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations, and additional evidence is needed.

The Board dismissed the appeals for all listed conditions as the Veteran withdrew her appeal through her attorney prior to a decision being made.