Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for a seizure disorder was granted, while appeals for other conditions were denied. Service connection for the previously claimed conditions is not established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to evaluate his service-connected knee and back disabilities, as the current evidence is insufficient.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, low back pain, bilateral hip pain, and neck condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity amputation.,A rating higher than 40 percent for left knee traumatic below-joint amputation is denied.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the October 2018 remand instructions and thus, the matters must be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to an inadequate medical opinion. The examiner is requested to provide a thorough rationale for any findings, including considering imaging results from June 1980.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral ankle arthritis, low back strain, right bicep injury, and right foot scar, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to October 18, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for pulmonary disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran's PTSD was aggravated by active service and is considered service-connected.,The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder began during active service and is considered service-connected.,The Veteran's prostate cancer is related to exposure to herbicide during service and is considered service-connected.,The Veteran's GERD began during active service and is related to exposure to herbicide during service; the hiatal hernia was most likely aggravated by military service and is considered service-connected.,The Veteran's back disability is related to an in-service injury and is considered service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, especially his left ankle disability, have rendered him unemployable since March 1, 2009. The Board has determined that a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis is warranted for this period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, the cervical spine disability remains at 20 percent, and the radiculopathy of both upper extremities are also rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is reinstated, and he is granted a 50% rating for migraine headaches. The issues of service connection for GERD, cervical spine disability, and an eating disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination in a previous decision. The Veteran's cervical spine condition is still under review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability as secondary to his service-connected heart condition, finding that there is no medical evidence linking the back disorder to the heart condition.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders. The decision is based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied. The claim for increased rating of IBS to 30 percent was granted effective January 11, 2021. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left ankle disability remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right great toe disability, and right tibia/fibula disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are associated with post-service work injuries.,There is no evidence of the claimed conditions during active service or within one year following discharge.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a laceration of the left index finger is denied as there are no residuals found.,Service connection for low back disorder, including degenerative disc disease and arthritis, is denied due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred during service or within one year post-service. The examiner opined that any current arthritis is more likely related to natural aging process rather than service.,The Veteran's claim for a right leg disorder is denied as there is no objective medical evidence of a current right leg disorder, and the VA examination found no signs of such a condition.,Service connection for venereal disease, including genital warts and syphilis, is denied due to lack of current diagnosis. The examiner concluded that any residual symptoms are not related to service.,PTSD claim is remanded as there was insufficient evidence provided.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's left wrist disability and gastrointestinal disability are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot pes planus, right knee disability, and low back disability. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.,The VA examiners provided opinions indicating that there was no direct link between the current disabilities and service.