Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral tinnitus were withdrawn by the Veteran prior to the promulgation of a decision.,The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as he did not meet the criteria for regular aid and attendance or permanent housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for chronic lumbosacral back strain with arthritis, right knee strain, left knee strain, and DeQuervain's tenosynovitis of the left wrist are denied. The claim for total disability due to individual unemployability is granted.

The Veteran's reduced disability rating for lumbar spine disability was restored to 20 percent effective May 1, 2014. The claim for increased rating remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current back disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a right knee disability and a low back disability due to insufficient opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to active duty, ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA, or secondary to service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied claims for service connection for a low back disability and neurological impairment of the lower extremities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's back disorder is not service-connected as it did not manifest until years after separation and there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or disease.,Right hip and right leg disorders are also not service-connected, with the Veteran failing to provide credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for additional evidence. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again as it may be related to his in-service slip and fall.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability claim due to incomplete records and inadequate examination report. The case is returned to the AOJ for compliance with these orders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to a violation of instructions, requiring additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine, left ankle, and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, right hip, and lumbar spine conditions as secondary to his service-connected left hip and left ankle disabilities. The evidence is at least evenly balanced in favor of these findings.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection is remanded for pulmonary hypertension and lumbar spine disorder as there are insufficient opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his spine condition has been denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service connected and a compensable rating is denied.,Service connection for the back disorder was previously denied due to lack of evidence linking it to active duty service. The claim has been reopened but new evidence does not establish a relationship with service, thus denial remains.,Service connection for the skin disorder (claimed as rash) and spot on the liver have not been established based on exposure to toxic herbicide agents or any other theory of service connection.,Acid reflux is not service connected and no further theories of service connection are applicable.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate previous medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is currently rated at 40 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,Right and left lower extremity sciatica are each rated at 10 percent. The September 2019 VA examination indicated moderate constant pain on both sides.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right foot, and left foot disabilities due to inadequate examination reports and lack of consideration of all relevant evidence.