Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sinusitis and GERD have been withdrawn.,Service connection has not been granted for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, or lumbar spine with degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle arthritis and lumbar osteoarthritis, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's left ankle scars are currently rated at 0 percent, while his left ankle arthritis is rated at 20 percent. His lumbar osteoarthritis remains at 40 percent.

The Board denied a rating greater than 20 percent for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings due to inadequate examinations, and to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remands these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current back condition is related to his service, and whether his bilateral lower extremity numbness and tingling are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected back condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board denied his claim for an increased rating.,The Veteran’s thoracolumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were not shown to be related to service or a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) is remanded due to new evidence received since the last denial in 2012.,No specific exposure basis was provided for any of the conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc disease. The case is being remanded to assign a rating and review the TDIU and SMC aid and attendance claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are not ready for final decision due to incomplete development, including obtaining additional medical records and clarifying the number of scars status post lumbar spine surgery. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and service connection for various peripheral neuropathies have been remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection has not been established for low back disability, right hand disability, left hand disability, right knee disability, or left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar and thoracic spine disability, a sciatic nerve disability (secondary to the lumbar and thoracic spine disability), and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision on the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is pending at the RO.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for her lumbar spine disability and degenerative joint disease, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 30, 2009 for the grant of a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The Veteran was unable to maintain substantial gainful employment from April 30, 2009 to August 2, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and obstructive sleep apnea on a direct basis. The Veteran's current neck pain and cervical spine symptoms began in his active service, as did his obstructive sleep apnea.

The claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened, but the Veteran's low back disability is not found to be related to service. The rating for tinea cruris and TDIU due to tinea cruris are both remanded.,A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's tinea cruris.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep disorder are granted. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, low back disorder, colon cancer, carcinoma of the appendix, and chronic fatigue are remanded for further development.,Service connection is granted for PTSD, but not for a separate sleep disorder. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss. Diabetes mellitus, type II, low back disorder, colon cancer, carcinoma of the appendix, and chronic fatigue are all remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lumbar strain and bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of these conditions, established an in-service incurrence or disease, and linked them to her active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical evidence and conducting VA examinations to address his service connection claims.