Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability including low back strain and degenerative disc disease, but remanded the issues of initial compensable rating for right ankle sprain with calcaneal spurs, service connection for a right knee disability to include as secondary to right ankle sprain with calcaneal spurs, and service connection for radiculopathy of right lower extremity to include as secondary to right ankle sprain with calcaneal spurs.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his hip, knee, and back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA examinations and additional evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is denied for both conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities. However, the Board denied the claim on the merits, finding that there is no evidence showing that the Veteran's back disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's back condition, finding that it was not caused by or aggravated during his military service and is more likely a result of his daily activities.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to errors in obtaining VA treatment records and considering certain factors related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral strain and lumbar degenerative disc disease was restored to a 40 percent rating effective August 2, 2016. The RO also granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for an upper back condition and granted a 40% rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, effective from March 23, 2010. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating prior to that date was also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be granted for low back disability and left drop foot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include PTSD, teeth grinding, right arm carpal tunnel syndrome, back, neck, shoulder, and knee disorders, as well as a skin disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an eye disability was denied in a March 1979 rating decision. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim, resulting in denial. The appeal is remanded for further examination regarding right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbar strain, adjustment disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The case was remanded for further action on service connection claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for chlamydia and granted a 50 percent rating for migraines beginning October 11, 2019. The remaining issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and sleep apnea as there was no evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for residuals of right ankle sprain and residuals of left knee injury. The appeal for residuals of low back injury, including lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating due to failure of the Veteran to RSVP for scheduled VA examinations. The proper procedures must be followed on remand.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder due to incomplete STRs.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death, and no new evidence or claims were presented.