Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with bunions and degenerative joint disease. The claim for service connection for a back condition is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability and entitlement to an extraschedular rating for the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The decision is based on incomplete records, specifically missing Social Security Administration disability benefits records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and initial disability ratings for bilateral metatarsalgia and hallux valgus left foot, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded several rating matters related to the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine conditions, upper and lower extremity radiculopathies, neurogenic bladder, and erectile dysfunction. The issues of effective dates for service connection are also being addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar spine are remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity. The Veteran is also remanded for service connection on the merits for a left wrist disability, left shoulder tendinitis, and chest pain.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with history of spinal fusion, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine conditions have been granted increased ratings, with some periods receiving temporary total ratings for convalescence. Service connection for hypertension has also been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for calluses of the feet was denied in a final rating decision. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen this claim.,Service connection for kidney dysfunction, neurological disorder, bladder disorder, and back disorder (claimed as arthritis) were all denied due to lack of current diagnoses or established link to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, including obtaining medical records and STRs related to the Veteran's claimed back injury at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and his motor vehicle accident while deployed overseas in Spain.

The Board denied the claim as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the character of the Appellant’s discharge from his second period of service, which barred him from VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain is granted at 40 percent from January 12, 2015. Service connection for TMJ disorder as secondary to PTSD is granted. Claims for left and right hip disabilities are reopened. Effective dates for service connection of lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU from January 12, 2015 are granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability, acquired psychological disorder (including stressor related disorder), and back disability are granted service connection. The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied service connection. Service connection for a traumatic brain injury and a headache disability secondary to the traumatic brain injury are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions are dismissed. The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted new and material evidence for service connection claims related to stomach problems, IBS, and a gastrointestinal disorder. However, the claims for throat disability and low back disability remain denied due to lack of chronicity or etiology. The psychiatric claim remains pending as there is no established diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, back, shoulder, and radiculopathy disabilities due to insufficient evidence of current diagnoses or etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for asthma was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including removal of tonsils, cholesterol condition, catherization of male organ, decreased vision in both eyes, right-elbow torn ligament status post-surgery, right-elbow scar with keloid, dental condition, left-ear drum disorder, perforation of the tympanic membrane, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, stomach condition with acid reflux (claimed as due to Gulf War), left ankle and right ankle degenerative arthritis, a disorder manifested by feeling tired with a lack of energy, vertigo, bilateral feet condition, right-heel bone spur, neck condition with limited mobility, sinus surgery with turbinate surgery, allergies, and breathing condition (claimed as due to smoke and fumes).

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected left knee injury is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for various conditions, including dysmenorrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, bilateral ankle disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee strain, right knee strain, restless legs syndrome, HPV, infertility, gallbladder surgery, tremors and spasms to face and hands, itching, pain, and scars, and VA medical treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to medical complexity and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed with additional evidence and a medical opinion.