Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back pain, left hip pain, prostate cancer with incontinence, and diabetes mellitus due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran served as a fire truck mechanic during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lung cancer due to asbestos exposure, but the claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease L4-L5 with spinal stenosis and entitlement to a temporary total disability rating are remanded as additional evidence is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar strain is related to his service-connected right knee condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, specifically whether it is related to his service. The Veteran will need a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied. The original denial of his low back condition and TMJ conditions were based on the lack of current disabilities at the time of separation from service.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip and lumbar spine conditions. The claim for service connection for a right leg condition, right ankle condition, and right groin condition is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding their nature. Service connection for lumbar spine condition is granted as secondary to service-connected post-Magnusson stack repair right shoulder with subluxation. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right shoulder disability, cervical spine arthritis, and right shoulder scar are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The VA has determined that the current evaluations of 10 percent are appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's neck and low back disabilities were not incurred in service, nor are they related to any incident of service.,Neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was not shown to have had its onset during service or within a year thereafter. The Veteran did not seek treatment for these conditions until many years after service separation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left wrist disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current degenerative joint disease to his active service. The Board also remanded the issue of secondary service connection for back disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded it for further development. The appeal of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also remanded due to lack of evidence on its secondary nature to service-connected chronic gastritis with GERD and Barrett’s esophagus.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine disability require the aid and attendance of another person for daily activities, including protection from hazards, dressing, undressing, keeping clean, and attending to personal needs. Special monthly compensation on account of need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder, elbow, lumbar spine, knee, and arch conditions. The new evidence obtained includes incomplete STRs and SSA records. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's appendicitis and related conditions are related to his military service, specifically exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of lumbosacral strain due to inadequate examination findings, inconsistencies in medical records regarding her left knee injury during service, and lack of military personnel records. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination for both conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 40 percent since February 25, 2016. His lumbar spine disability remains at a 40 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obesity, which is related to his service-connected respiratory conditions (asthma, allergic rhinitis, and emphysema with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis), caused or aggravated his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is found to have caused his stomach ulcers. Service connection for the stomach ulcer is granted, but a higher initial rating and a higher rating in excess of 40 percent from April 15, 2016 are denied.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, and a rating of 60 percent for dyshidrotic eczema is granted effective from the date of the decision. Other service connection claims are denied.