Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed, and the claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for post traumatic headaches, total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and eligibility for Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right knee injury, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service automobile accident. Service connection for tinnitus was not addressed as it is presumed to have been incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the Appellant's mental state during service. The character of discharge issue is also being remanded.

The Veteran's increased ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, TDIU claim, left hip condition, and right hip condition have been dismissed.,The Veteran's service connection claims for asthma have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is not warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for atopic dermatitis, left tennis elbow, and left eye condition (condition of the cornea) were granted with effective dates prior to October 18, 2012.,Service connection was denied for fibromyalgia, low back pain, arthritis also claimed as joint pain (cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, bilateral knee and bilateral ankles), and respiratory problems and asthma.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new one to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to May 17, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring physician-prescribed bed rest.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases, duty to assist error, and need for additional medical opinions. The issues of service connection for low back disability and neurological disorder of bilateral lower extremities are being reviewed.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for several conditions, but these matters are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. Prostate cancer and sleep apnea are now considered due to exposure to herbicides, while degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are all found to be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a low back disorder, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions. The Board also remanded issues related to prostate cancer compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and lower extremity disabilities.,Service connection was not granted for PTSD due to lack of current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service. Service connection was denied for a lumbar spine disability because there was no chronic condition in service or within the presumptive period, and no link between current symptoms and service.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for left arm injury, posttraumatic arthritis. Service connection was granted for lumbar pain and strain.

The Board dismissed the appeals of several service connection claims and denied requests for earlier effective dates. The Veteran's claims were not supported by a proper substantive appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder condition with arthritis, back condition with osteoarthritis, ischemic heart disease (IHD) and coronary artery disease (CAD), and right foot condition due to outstanding medical records from Wyoming Health Care Center.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating. The cases of right heel spurs and left heel spurs are remanded for further evaluation.