Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, left hip, and low back disorders due to incomplete examination reports. The VA is instructed to obtain new VA examinations that address whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no medical evidence to support a link between her current condition and her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues related to effective dates for service connection and a claim of CUE in a prior rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination to determine if the Veteran requires aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, as opposed to non-service-connected ones.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions, specifically regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities. The Veteran is required to be provided with new VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and severity of his spinal conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is found to be related to his military service.,The Veteran's headaches are determined to be secondary to a service-connected acquired psychological disorder (depression).,There is no evidence of tinnitus that was incurred in and due to the Veteran's time in service.,The Veteran's back condition did not have its onset during service or within one year of discharge, nor is it shown to be causally related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.,Hepatitis B is not found to have begun during active service or be otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran does not have a left foot condition that was incurred in and due to his time in service.,The Veteran does not have a right foot condition that was incurred in and due to his time in service.,Hypertension is not found to be related to the Veteran's military service or manifest within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran does not have a skin condition disorder that was incurred in and due to his time in service.,The Veteran does not have a sleep disorder that was incurred in or due to his time in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The skin disability claim was remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for several conditions, including hand rashes, muscle conditions of upper and lower extremities, sleep apnea, memory loss, and nose bleeds, all claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, associated with degenerative joint disease at L4-L5 and L5-S1 of the lumbar spine, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.,The Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, associated with degenerative joint disease at L4-L5 and L5-S1 of the lumbar spine, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40% and denied for a higher rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating due to limited flexion of less than 60 degrees, no ankylosis, and no incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral DJD is rated at 20 percent for the entire period on appeal, considering his symptoms and limitations during flare-ups.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder is not service-connected as it was not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during active duty, and there is no evidence of a chronic condition within one year after separation from service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the current back disability is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability and residuals of traumatic brain injury, finding that the preexisting conditions did not worsen during service or were not incurred in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding increased ratings and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee status post total arthroplasty and a back condition due to new evidence added to the record since the May 2014 Supplemental Statement of the Case. The Veteran will be scheduled for an examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability, including range of motion measurements during flare-ups and with repeated use over time.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing spina bifida occulta did not result in any superimposed injury or disease during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examination.,The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The Board has denied a request for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine. The Veteran's claim to reopen was received on June 30, 2008 and he is seeking an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and mental disorder was denied.,An effective date earlier than May 8, 2018, for a 100% rating for bipolar disorder is denied.