Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for low back pain and costochondritis, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.,Service connection was also established for atypical chest pain (diagnosed as costochondritis) based on direct evidence of a disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for generalized anxiety disorder and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to lack of supporting evidence and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, gastrointestinal disability (IBS), chronic renal disease, back disability, right shoulder disability, high blood pressure, left hip disability, and right hip disability. Service connection was not established for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities aggravated his obesity, which is an intermediate step for determining service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his back disability and for entitlement to TDIU due to unresolved medical opinions regarding his bowel, bladder, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's initial ratings for lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his conditions, as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes related to intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability. The case is now being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from the VA contracted examiner.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a low back (lumbar spine) disability due to lack of jurisdiction. The remaining claims for left knee, right elbow, and headache disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and whether it is related to his service-connected right lower extremity disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as he has been employed in various positions that require similar education, training, and work experience.

A 30 percent rating is granted for GERD as of December 2, 2015. Ratings in excess of 20 percent are denied for low back and shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to obtain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims for his service-connected lumbar spine disability due to inadequate previous examinations and the need for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, and bilateral lower extremity plantar nerve mixed neuropathy due to incomplete adjudication.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including sciatica, back disability, right hip and knee disabilities, cold injury residuals, PTSD, chronic sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, skin disorder of the feet, fibromyalgia, stroke with left-side balance impairment, headaches (migraines), degenerative bone disease, heart disability, muscle pain and soreness, and a left eye disability. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability due to a lack of evidence showing the disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and lower back disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the condition is related to an in-service injury. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's post-total right knee replacement is rated at 60 percent, his bilateral hearing loss and right knee surgical scar are not compensable, and he has a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability. The Veteran also received a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy.