Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded for additional examination and rating considerations due to a lack of recent range of motion testing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to the condition and that it did not manifest within one year of separation from service. The Board also found that the Veteran's current low back disability is less likely than not caused by her service-connected foot disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to inadequate duty to assist determinations and a need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The low back disability rating from February 5, 2013 to September 5, 2017 was granted at 20%, and thereafter at 40%.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted service connection, and effective May 10, 2012. The rating for his lumbar spine disability is also granted on that date. However, the issues of increased ratings for shoulder strains, lower extremity radiculopathy, left ankle sprain, cervical strain, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are remanded as new VA examinations are needed.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder and lower back disabilities, finding that the Veteran did not have a chronic disease entity in service or attributable to service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and evidence collection. The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, but the decision is pending as more information is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left hip degenerative joint disorder, right hip degenerative joint disease, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to service-connected meningococcal meningitis.,Service connection was also denied for diabetes mellitus (DMII) as secondary to service-connected meningococcal meningitis.

The Veteran's left knee ACL repair surgery from November 28, 2007 is granted a temporary total disability rating of 100% for convalescence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lower back disability is secondary to his service-connected neck disability and needs further examination and evidence collection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his assertion of worsening service-connected disabilities and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the Veteran's current symptoms are not linked to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between her current condition and her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus, low back disorder, and neck disorder due to their inextricability with other claims. The issue of entitlement to automotive adaptive equipment is also remanded as it is intertwined with the vision disability and bilateral knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and a compensable rating for a skin condition due to missing treatment records and incomplete VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder but has remanded the issues of service connection for a right hip disorder, back disorder, cirrhosis of the liver, and chronic hepatitis C. The Veteran's migraines are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his claimed lower back disorder, right hip disorder as secondary to a lower back disorder, and right knee disorder as secondary to a lower back disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The claim to reopen a service connection for a low back disorder is granted. The issues of service connection for recurrent lumbosacral spine disorder, recurrent head trauma residuals including intracranial hemorrhage residuals, and recurrent headache disorder are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and evaluation.