Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder of any kind, to include a personality disorder was not reopened and denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was reopened but the appeal is still pending as further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and issues regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical evidence, including from his Air National Guard (ANG) service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being returned to the RO for review of new evidence, including a March 2019 VA spine examination and April 2019 thoracolumbar spine addendum medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis with sciatica is at least as likely as not etiologically related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service treatment records and incomplete electronic docket entries. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again as part of this process.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a right knee disability and low back disability due to incomplete records, including service personnel records and SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for VA to obtain his complete service personnel record and pay information from June 1990. A VA examination is also needed to determine if any current disabilities are related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck and back disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature of his conditions and their relationship to service. The Veteran is required to undergo further medical examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for headaches and tinnitus are granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a rash on the hands, an upper back disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete information in his claims file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral frostbite and a back condition secondary to frostbite due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the nature of his current disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of fracture of the lumbar vertebra, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. The ratings for these conditions remain at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for back, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The back disability remains at a 40% rating from August 1, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The Board also found support for the Veteran's claims of lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, and back disability based on in-service exposure to asbestos and other factors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was previously denied due to lack of evidence showing the condition was incurred in or aggravated by military service. The Board has now reopened the claim based on new and material evidence, but further development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's disabilities, including lumbar spine, left ankle, and left knee conditions, as well as sleep apnea and psychiatric disorders. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a left heel disability and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection is granted for tinnitus and lumbar degenerative joint and disc disease.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to obtain adequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorders and their relationship to service. The AOJ should verify all periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA/IDT), particularly for the period from October 1998 through August 2002. Any outstanding VA and private treatment records should also be obtained.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea and tinnitus. The remaining claims are pending further development.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease with left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current disability had its onset during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a groin injury is denied, and his applications to reopen claims of service connection for COPD and lumbar spine disorder are remanded.