Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claims for ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine and disorders of the bilateral feet, knees, hips, shoulders, and ankles are granted. Additionally, his claim for iritis as secondary to service-connected ankylosing spondylitis is also granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it began in service or is related to his back disability.,Service connection has been granted for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in determining whether the Veteran's back disorder is aggravated by his service-connected left ankle condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and sleep apnea were granted. The claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied as the evidence did not establish that it began during his active military service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back disability and respiratory issues, due to potential herbicide exposure while aboard the U.S.S. Wichita during his Vietnam War service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was granted a 40% rating effective November 29, 2017. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis as secondary to bilateral knee disabilities and denied the Veteran's claims for left hand/wrist disability, acquired psychiatric disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, cellulitis of the right upper extremity, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae with disfigurement results in one characteristic of disfigurement.,The Board has remanded the claim for entitlement to service connection for a left lower extremity disability, to include inflammation with radiculitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations. The appeals are now sent back to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for initial consideration.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, IBS, back condition, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood due to in-service treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The claims include multiple sclerosis, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral inguinal hernias.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability and dental disability, finding that there was not sufficient evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorder and back disorder, both secondary to her service-connected left ankle fracture. The case is sent back for an addendum opinion regarding whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by her service-connected disability.

The Board has denied service connection for lower back condition, tinnitus, bilateral hallux valgus, and bilateral hammertoes as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are necessary to properly assess the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities, as the current VA examination reports do not adequately address the Veteran's reported flare-ups and functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination reports and conflicting opinions. The Veteran's back problems, left and right lumbar radiculopathies, and PTSD with alcohol use disorder are all being reviewed again.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective July 23, 2019. The initial ratings for hypertension and bilateral foot disabilities remain unchanged.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for tinnitus, residuals of right-shoulder rotator cuff surgery, and left shoulder condition were granted. Claims for disorder manifested by sleep issues, hypertension, radiculopathy of the LLE, radiculopathy of the RLE, lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and spinal stenosis, as well as PTSD, are denied.

The Veteran's lumbar strain was not rated higher than 40 percent, and he did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to May 30, 2019.,From May 30, 2019 to June 9, 2019, and from August 28, 2019, the Veteran was granted TDIU due to his service-connected musculoskeletal conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations for his cervical spine, right knee, right shoulder, left elbow, TBI, seizures, and migraines.