Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left foot disability, as well as an increased rating for his right foot disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability in these conditions.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his service. The claim will be reconsidered after a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease, spinal stenosis, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, osteoarthritis of the hips and knees, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's case is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination for his left ear hearing loss and a readjudication of his low back disorder claim, including consideration of new evidence. The rating for his left ear hearing loss will be scheduled for an examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability, PTSD, and left knee/hip conditions due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's records from New Jersey VA medical centers dated around 1969 are being sought.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back, left knee, and right knee conditions based on the evidence showing these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination, as there are conflicting medical records and unclear history regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral shoulder condition and back condition due to incomplete records from his service period.

The Veteran was granted service connection for lumbar herniated disc and degenerative disc disease, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's degenerative disc disease and whether it is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar strain.

Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and thoracolumbar spine disability (back disability) are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder tears was granted. The claim for service connection for a back disability was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of current diagnosis.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back condition and erectile dysfunction, as there is insufficient evidence or medical nexus opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to higher disability ratings for lumbosacral strain with arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of proper withdrawal documentation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a back condition, and right knee and low back conditions have been granted. The rating for bilateral hearing loss remains at 0 percent.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right shoulder, low back, neck, and mental health conditions to include as secondary to service-connected left shoulder disability due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to ongoing VA efforts to obtain private medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted. The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, back disorder, and dermatophytosis of the thighs with bilateral tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the toenails due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder onset during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The low back disability claim remains denied.