Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence.,The Veteran is also being scheduled for various VA examinations related to his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back strain and whether his lumbar levoscoliosis is a congenital defect or disease. The Veteran also needs an updated VA medical opinion on whether his service-connected condition has aggravated other disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of various conditions, including low back, neck, right foot, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, and bilateral shoulder conditions. The Veteran's service records indicate complaints of pain in these areas during service, but no current diagnoses have been established. A new examination is required for each condition.

The Board has remanded both claims for increased rating for the Veteran's back disability and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; coronary artery disease (CAD); peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities; thoracolumbar spine condition (back condition); and right knee degenerative joint disease (right knee condition) due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran's military service in Vietnam is potentially relevant for these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder, diagnosed as sclerotic lesions in lumbar vertebrae, iliac wings, and sacrum with arthritis. The evidence is at least in equipoise whether the condition began during active service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, lumbosacral sprain, right shoulder injury, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and low back disorder are granted as service-connected. The right knee and left knee issues are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to his death, and no eligible party has requested substitution.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, chronic bronchitis, heart disability, stomach condition (to include ulcers), and epidermal inclusion cyst. The Board found that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right shoulder and lumbosacral spine disabilities are being remanded due to deficiencies in the VA examinations conducted.,The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims on appeal.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection, and the issues of increased rating for GERD and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it began during active service and is not related to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic back pain, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for agoraphobia due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or VA treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine, hips, and legs, prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus, Type II due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disorder but denied service connection for a pulmonary disorder (chronic bronchitis and COPD). The lower back disorder is found to be at least as likely as not related to active duty service. However, the pulmonary disorder is not related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting new VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's current shoulder and back conditions are related to his active service.

The Board denied service connection for Pityriasis lichenoides chronica and a lumbar spine disorder, both claimed as resulting from exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's presumed exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss cannot be granted as he does not have a current disability meeting VA criteria. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and back disability are remanded due to lack of recent medical evidence, and the alcoholism secondary claim is also remanded.