Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee arthritis and lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease. However, the claims are denied as there is no competent medical evidence establishing a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's low back disability is service-connected, tinnitus and gastrointestinal disability are not service-connected, right wrist disability is service-connected, but left wrist disability is not service-connected.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing additional opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new VA examination to assess the severity of his knee, ankle, and low back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have sleep apnea and denied his claim for service connection. The increased rating claims for lumbar spine and left knee disabilities are also being denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for the back condition, with no effective date provided. The issues of RLE radiculopathy, right knee disability, right knee scar, and right foot plantar fasciitis were also addressed but without a clear disposition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to conflicting opinions and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is granted as her motorized wheelchair causes wear and tear on her clothing, which meets the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.810.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from all times during the pendency of the appeal. He also meets the criteria for a separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner who conducted the December 2016 spine examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and degenerative spondylosis with multilevel disc bulging with right lower extremity radiculopathy was aggravated by his service-connected right knee and right ankle disorders, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected back and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the obtaining of updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that none of the service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's cause of death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and denied an increased rating for lumbar spondylosis. The Veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria to qualify as a disability under VA regulations, while his lumbar spondylosis was evaluated based on its current manifestations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been granted. The remaining claims of service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbosacral musculoligamentous strain did not warrant a disability rating in excess of 20 percent. The bilateral hip condition claim is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied, and the Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence indicating his service-connected conditions may have worsened.

The Board has dismissed the appeal concerning the right hip disability claim as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in February 2016.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted on an aggravation basis, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran requested to withdraw multiple claims, including a rating for lumbar disc disease and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate. The Board dismissed these issues as withdrawn.