Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of arthritis within one year of separation and concluding that the current condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and herniated disk at L4-5 and L5-S1 with intervertebral disc syndrome (IDVS) with impaired ejaculation and urinary hesitancy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with restless leg syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar, bladder, and peripheral neuropathy disabilities as well as a migraine headache rating. The gynecological disability claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective November 10, 2011. A 10 percent rating for status-post laceration of the right long and ring fingers with residual painful scar is also granted effective that date.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claims for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral upper extremity arthralgia, and bilateral lower extremity arthralgia was granted. The appeal is granted on these issues.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, but denied the reopening of claims for obstructive sleep apnea and thoracic and lumbar spondylosis. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records, private treatment records, and additional examination reports.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to potential issues with the evidence considered, including a lack of in-service treatment records for low back pain.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for scars of the low back associated with degenerative lumbar disc disease has been withdrawn. The Board also remanded two other issues: an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative lumbar disc disease with spinal stenosis and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, but has remanded the issue of whether his cervical spine disability is aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings of right ankle degenerative joint disease, left ankle strain, and lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease due to withdrawal by the appellant. The appeal regarding service connection for the cause of death is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of pseudofolliculitis barbae was granted.,Claims for service connection for spondylosis of the lumbar spine and hepatitis C are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic arthritis of his lumbosacral spine, entrapment of the lumbar nerve root in his left lower extremity, radiculopathy of his right lower extremity, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to uncertainty regarding his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The issues of low back disability, prostate cancer, skin disability, abnormal growth of the left ear, heart disability, and stroke are being reviewed based on potential herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for right foot disability, low back disability, and muscle spasm disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, left shoulder, low back, eczema, and insomnia conditions related to Gulf War exposure. The cases are sent back for further examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for lower and upper back problems was granted. The Board also remanded several issues including increased ratings, initial compensable disability ratings, and service connection claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VCAA notice and a need for additional medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is asked to provide records from or identify the physical therapy clinic he received treatment at in Milwaukee in the 1990s, and an examination will be scheduled if necessary.

The Veteran's neck or cervical spine disability is being remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it is related to service-connected back disability.,The Veteran's lower extremity neuropathy (claimed as meralgia paresthetica) is being remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it is caused by obesity, which may be aggravated by the service-connected low back disability.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative changes L5-S1 with disc herniation (claimed as back condition) has been reopened, but the issue is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his back condition is aggravated by his service-connected knee conditions.