Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran is granted separate 10 percent ratings for seronegative spondyloarthropathy and ankylosing spondylitis of the right foot and toes, left foot and toes, right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, left hip, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right hand and fingers, left hand and fingers, right wrist, left wrist, and right ankle and left ankle.,The combined ratings for these conditions exceed the rating assigned under DC 5003.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disability, bilateral foot disability, flat feet, arthritis of the feet, and bilateral hearing loss, has been granted. The appeals are remanded for further development on issues related to a bilateral knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for COPD with pulmonary nodules, sinusitis, a back disorder, and a right ankle disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by current medical evidence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his exposure to herbicide agents, as the legal standard regarding in-service exposure has changed. The Veteran served aboard a ship that was in 'official waters' of Vietnam during parts of his active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability due to Klippel-Feal syndrome. The issues of service connection for back, left leg nerve, and right leg nerve conditions secondary to the neck disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraines, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again as new medical examinations are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incongruities in the examination report and medical opinion, as well as insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions. The claims will be further evaluated with additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and left shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic in-service disease or injury. The claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with mild degenerative changes at L5/S1 was also denied as the Veteran failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board has remanded two issues related to service connection for low back and left hip conditions, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected knee condition. The Veteran's representative contends that his current low back and left hip disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected right and left total knee replacements.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot, bilateral toe, low back, and neck disabilities. The reasons include that there was no evidence showing a direct relationship between his current conditions and his active duty service or service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder have been dismissed as the appeals were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his spine disability.,Additional evidence and a retrospective medical opinion are required to determine the extent of functional loss due to flare-ups prior to January 24, 2016.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and assigned a 10 percent rating from June 30, 2008, to March 31, 2011, and a rating of 40 percent beginning April 1, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to the ratings for various service-connected disabilities and several other claims. The case is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran’s ability to care for himself.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and psychiatric conditions (including depression and anxiety disorder), finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and low back disorder, as well as his claim for TDIU due to an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The issues are related to whether these conditions were incurred during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with contested claims procedures and a need for further adjudication.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a VA examination.