Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability was rated at 40% effective July 1, 2013. The Board found that the increase in severity of her disability occurred on or after this date.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for depression and anxiety have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private treatment records related to the Veteran's lumbar spine surgery. The Veteran is required to submit or authorize for release of these records, and failure to do so may result in an adverse decision.

The appeal for PTSD is dismissed. The appeals for low back disability, spina bifida, and neurological disorder of the left lower extremity are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, claimed as right back pain and cervical spinal stenosis. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and depression on the basis that there is no direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disorder was denied. The current rating of 40 percent is maintained as the disability does not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, nasal polyps, bronchitis, muscle and joint pain, erectile dysfunction, left knee condition, right knee condition, thoracolumbar spine degenerative changes, bilateral wrist condition, and bilateral elbow condition. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and low back disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for sleep apnea. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder due to inadequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his disability, including whether it is related to in-service injury or pre-existed service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on several service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral lower extremity nerve damage due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions during or related to his active military service.

The Board has denied a temporary total disability rating for January 2018 low back surgery due to insufficient evidence of convalescence, severe postoperative residuals, or immobilization. The case is remanded for further examination and determination regarding special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's residuals of injury to lumbar spine, finding that his disability picture more closely approximates the criteria required for a 20 percent evaluation under DC 5237.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left foot disorder (secondary to a service-connected left femur fracture), and right foot disorder (secondary to a service-connected left femur fracture).,The Veteran's claim for low back disorder and left hip disorder was remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, and a new examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability evaluations were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to pre-existing bilateral pes planus, arthritis of the lumbar spine, residuals of a contusion of the left arm with nerve damage, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, right knee strain, stress reaction of the left ankle, and stress reaction of the right ankle.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on various service-connected disabilities were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder, which resolved the benefit sought.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that it was caused by an in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back condition and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to inadequate development of the record. The AOJ must obtain all outstanding medical records, including private treatment records from as early as 2005, and provide an adequate examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s diagnosed conditions.