Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent effective March 17, 2010. Both ratings are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a cerebrovascular accident has been withdrawn.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no in-service event or continuous symptomatology related to the condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied due to lack of evidence showing current disability within VA standards.,The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder, osteoarthritis impacting multiple joints, and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further evaluation.,Further medical examination is needed to determine if the Veteran’s conditions are related to service or other service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to July 20, 2016. The Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service.,The Veteran was also denied TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is dismissed.,Service connection for heart disease is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, numbness of the left fingers, numbness of the right fingers, a left foot condition, a right foot condition, and numbness on the right side (described as right leg numbness) are remanded.,Service connection for teeth loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure (hypertension) is remanded.,Service connection for low testosterone is remanded.,Service connection for a right knee disability (claimed as a weak right knee), a low back disability (claimed as low back stiffness), and bilateral hearing loss are also remanded.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and myopathy effective April 26, 2017.,An earlier effective date of May 19, 2011 is granted for the grant of a 20 percent disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy with myopathy. The effective date for the 40 percent disability rating for discogenic disc disease of the lumbar spine remains April 26, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for interstitial lung disease, hypothyroidism (claimed as a thyroid condition secondary to agent orange exposure), posttraumatic stress disorder, keratoacanthoma, basal cell carcinomas, seborrheic keratosis, actinic keratosis (pre-cancerous skin lesions), and right sciatic nerve condition associated with low back strain. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for COD and DIC benefits.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that the current disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder, including his USAR service and its impact on his current condition. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining additional medical records and verifying the Veteran's reserve service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied. The current rating of 40 percent is maintained from November 29, 2011 to October 27, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right knee, lower back, and right hip disabilities as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, a total disability rating due to unemployability, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and arthritis of multiple joints. The appeals are dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any residuals of a fracture of T-8 and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the thoracic spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability is granted. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied, and the claim for service connection of left knee arthritis is denied. The case for TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and sinusitis have been reopened. The Board has remanded the cases to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an updated VA spine examination, including testing of range of motion and addressing conflicting medical evidence regarding lumbar spine ankylosis.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and multiple physical disabilities, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. However, due to his employment during part of the appellate period, further evidence is needed to determine if his employment constitutes 'substantially gainful employment' or 'marginal employment'.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. A 50 percent rating for the back disorder is granted since October 1, 2015.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is not service-connected.,His erectile dysfunction and chest pain are not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.