Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the other issues related to chest injury residuals, bilateral hearing loss, right leg disability, heart disability, and unspecified arthritis are remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a pulmonary lung disorder, bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis, and thoracolumbar spine osteoarthritis have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has these conditions as part of his already service-connected generalized arthritic process.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for additional records from VA and Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disability and PTSD have been granted. The claim for bilateral knee disability is remanded.

The case is remanded due to the need for additional development and examination of the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a right Achilles tendon injury was reopened and granted service connection.,Service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine was denied with a rating of 40 percent from September 22, 2015. A TDIU was granted prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for her service-connected degenerative disc disease with dextroscoliosis and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine prior to May 25, 2016, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, major depressive disorder, and low back disability are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's back disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities, and to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset of his back pain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, as he does not have permanent and total disability affecting one or more lower extremities, nor does he have blindness in both eyes with visual acuity of 20/200 or less. The Veteran also does not have service-connected disabilities involving both hands, burn injuries, or inhalational injuries.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination for a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran contends that his current back disability is related to service, specifically marching with heavy military equipment while in service. The examiner's opinion was not sufficient and did not address these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spondylosis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for her cervical spine disorder was granted, with a 30 percent evaluation effective May 6, 2014. The claims for radiculopathy of the left upper and lower extremities were also granted, each receiving a 20 percent evaluation effective March 25, 2019.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was not rated compensable prior to May 11, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his service-connected viral meningitis.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for additional development and clarification of medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, memory loss, back disability, headache disability, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The issues include service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back disability, including osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, finding that it is related to his military service.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The AOJ must make efforts to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and any inpatient or clinical records from Fort Ord.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his compression fracture L1 and chronic strain (lumbar spine disability) is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of additional limitation of motion or associated neurologic abnormalities.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder is granted with a rating of 50 percent, but no higher, prior to January 25, 2019. The appeal for a higher rating since then is denied.,Service connection for iliopsoas tendonitis (hip condition) claimed as secondary to service-connected bilateral upper and lower extremity weakness associated with muscular dystrophy is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected low back disability and for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The VA will obtain all relevant records, including SSA records, and arrange for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's low back disability.