Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete service treatment records. The case will be returned after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection and assigned a 20% rating for type II diabetes mellitus, effective from the date of the decision. The other conditions have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of certain medical opinions, particularly regarding the Veteran's left elbow disability and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for a back disability but denied for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's pulmonary disability, including bronchitis.,Service connection for allergies is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the remanded claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and hypertension were granted. However, the claim for a higher rating for his thoracic spine disability was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Board also found that continuity of symptomatology could not be established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to incomplete information in his medical records, including lack of updated opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected conditions. The Veteran is also required to provide employment information from previous employers.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that his reported stressors are consistent with his military service and supported by medical evidence.,Service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability (intervertebral disc syndrome) is also granted. The VA examiner opined it was more likely than not related to his in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a back disability due to inadequate consideration of medical evidence from service records.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at the minimum compensable level of 10 percent, effective December 29, 2012. The other conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The Veteran contends that his current conditions are secondary to service-connected disabilities, but a VA examiner's opinion is needed to determine if there is a link between the service-connected conditions and the new conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 14, 2009 was denied. The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected low back condition beginning June 17, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development of evidence and a need for an additional medical examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for acute thoracic and lumbar strain, left knee condition, and migraines due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining VA examinations and Social Security Administration records.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted effective from April 29, 2013. The issues of service connection for low back disability and pes planus are reopened.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since March 7, 2012. The left knee degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent from March 7, 2012 to August 16, 2020 and at 40 percent after that date.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since March 7, 2012. The left knee degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent from March 7, 2012 to August 16, 2020 and at 40 percent after that date.

The Veteran's right ankle degenerative arthritis is rated at a maximum of 20 percent.,Throughout the period prior to August 15, 2013, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.,Financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is denied due to the Veteran's ability to drive and ambulate despite his service-connected disabilities.