Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a hysterectomy with scar tissue was granted. The Veteran also received an initial disability rating of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine from November 1, 2010. However, the claim for a higher rating for lower back disability was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back conditions, as well as a respiratory condition (pulmonary fibrosis/pulmonary nodule), finding no new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims. The claim for respiratory condition was also denied due to lack of probative evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection, right knee rating reductions, increased ratings for his knees and shoulder, and TDIU are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board will review all submitted evidence and provide a new decision.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a lower back disorder due to insufficient evidence and an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, left hip disability, right ankle disability, low back disability, neck disability and migraine headaches. The Board found that the evidence supports these claims as they are related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The evidence did not show an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,Service connection was not granted because the current diagnoses were not caused by active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the Veteran's duty status during his Reserve service and obtain his complete service personnel records. A VA examination is also needed to determine the nature and etiology of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected compression fractures to T12 and L2 are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, bilateral knee disorder, foot fungus disorder, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), and low back disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year post-service.,There is no current evidence linking any of the Veteran's claimed disabilities to his active duty service.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the death of the Appellant, as appellants' claims do not survive their death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar degenerative disc disease and service connection for a neurological disorder of the lower extremities. The Veteran is also seeking an individual unemployability rating prior to August 17, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder due to potential aggravation during service. The Veteran's type I diabetes was diagnosed in 2000, but there is no evidence of its presence prior to her last period of active duty from October 2002 to April 2004. A VA examination will be needed to determine if the condition was aggravated by service and whether it is related to a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this.

The Board has granted service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and remanded other issues due to lack of VA examination records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but has found that remand is necessary to obtain updated treatment records and a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions. The Board also finds that remand is warranted for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disability/radiculopathy cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gall bladder removal scars has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability (claimed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for TDIU.