Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his right knee disability, as well as the reopening of a previously denied claim for back disability. The issues include determining if there is new evidence to reopen the back disability claim, establishing service connection for the right shoulder disability, and evaluating the severity of the right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The VA determined that the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or IVDS.

The Veteran's liver disability is denied as service connection. The issues of service connection for anemia and back disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorders, low back disorder, and right lower extremity disorder due to new evidence being submitted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated at 10 percent since February 15, 2011. The Board has determined that the current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. Service connection is granted for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and medial compartment narrowing of the left knee.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral hip disability, as well as his claim for a higher rating for left knee DJD with chondromalacia. The reduction of the left knee rating from 20% to 10% was found to be improper.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition and for TDIU. The right knee claim is pending, while the TDIU claim was granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's lumbar strain with osteoarthritis rating was reduced to 10% effective May 1, 2016, but her claim for restoration of a 40% rating is pending.

The Board has remanded two issues related to hypertension and erectile dysfunction, as they are secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran must be provided with another VA examination to determine if these conditions were incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Board has determined that service connection for tinnitus is warranted. Service connection for a sinus disorder, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric and orthopedic disorders. The Veteran is presumed sound upon entry into service, but a new examination is required to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's death, including service connection and rating issues.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, bilateral feet condition, and right-hand condition as the evidence did not show these conditions were related to active duty service.,There is no presumption of service connection due to exposure or other factors.

The Board has found that the Veteran's application for a clothing allowance for topical cream was timely filed. The appeal is remanded to consider the merits of this claim.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for back, right hip, and right foot disorders. The Veteran's right knee disorder is also being remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to service and remands for further development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability and a bilateral leg disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against any such relationship to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, left knee disability (secondary to right knee), back disability (secondary to bilateral knee disabilities), bilateral lower extremities radiculopathy (secondary to back disability), and depression (secondary to service-connected disabilities). The remand is due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.