Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence presented by the Veteran regarding his theory of entitlement to service connection for a back condition. The claim will be reconsidered with an addendum opinion addressing whether the service-connected neck disability caused or aggravated the back disability.

The Veteran's cause of death is not related to his service-connected disabilities or service. The claim for nonservice-connected death pension and accrued benefits are also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a kidney disability and low back disability due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicide agents, JP-4 jet fuel, or avgas during active duty. The Veteran's exposure status will be further investigated.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current degenerative arthritis of the spine is more likely due to age-related changes rather than service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a low back disorder and an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to June 4, 2019.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as service-connected.,Right knee patella chondromalacia and DDD of the lumbar spine are granted as secondary to a service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability secondary to the Veteran's left femur disability and hepatitis C. The Veteran is also granted entitlement to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine, lumbar strain, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to reported worsening symptoms since the last VA examinations in March 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for an increased rating for lumbar spine arthritis, service connection for hypertension, and service connection for PTSD prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and arthritis, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral shin splints. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was also granted as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU based on service-connected disabilities prior to February 12, 2018. The issues are being remanded due to need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is denied as it does not meet the criteria to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia and a neck/back disability, finding that new evidence supports the reopening of these claims. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for a rating in excess of 30 percent for ischemic heart disease, service connection for right and left knee disabilities, low back disability, and hypertension.,The Board also dismissed the appeals for service connection for right and left foot disabilities. The appellant withdrew these claims at his September 2019 hearing.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disability for additional development. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence that his current diagnosis began during service or is related to in-service noise exposure. For the lumbar spine disability, the case is remanded for an addendum opinion from a clinician regarding whether it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient examination reports and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again, with a focus on whether it clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include TBI, headaches, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities due to additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for the residuals of a broken sternum, thoracolumbosacral degenerative arthritis, and injuries to the cervical spine and coccyx are granted. The claim for injuries to the coccyx is denied.