Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's chronic gastritis is granted as secondary to medications taken for his service-connected right shoulder disability. The claim for lumbar spondylosis is remanded.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral spine disability due to new evidence showing these disabilities may be related to active service. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's MDD was initially evaluated at 50 percent from August 10, 2010 to December 3, 2018. From December 4, 2018 onwards, his MDD is rated as 100 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for right hand arthritis, but denied service connection for a lower back disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right arm/elbow disability, left arm/elbow disability, right wrist disability, hypertension, and lumbar spine disability. The originating agency failed to schedule a VA examination that addressed whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knees, hips, and ankles.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted in some cases, and additional VA treatment records have been added to his file. The Veteran will be provided a supplemental statement of the case if their benefits are not granted.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran does not have evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability but has remanded the claim for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacies in the June 2016 VA examination, which did not comply with relevant regulations and standards. The Veteran's disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but she contends that this rating does not reflect her current severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Tinnitus has been granted as the preponderance of the evidence supports its in-service onset and continuity.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disability, finding it proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of fracture to right tibia with ankle disability. The decision on right knee disability is pending as it was remanded and requires further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg disorder, left hip condition, and lower back disorder (other than scoliosis) as there is no evidence of a chronic disability in-service or related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran was treated for pain radiating in his left leg during service but it resolved with no residuals. Thereafter, the record does not offer any complaints or treatment for a radiculopathy of the left leg disorder for many years.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded both claims due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's back condition and bilateral foot disabilities are remanded for further evaluation due to recent surgery and new symptoms. Service connection claims for the feet are also remanded.

The claims for service connection for right clavicle and lumbar spine disorders have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The cases are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and right shoulder strain was dismissed.,Effective dates prior to February 6, 2014 were denied for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing private treatment records from Dr. L, who is now a VA provider and could potentially assist in establishing service connection for the Veteran's back condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis, pes planus, a back disability other than scoliosis, and a foot disability other than pes planus were denied. The Board found that the preexisting conditions did not worsen during service or result in additional disability beyond their natural progression.