Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied reopening of the claims for service connection for dorsolumbar paravertebral myositis with scoliosis and lumbar radiculopathy due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional VA medical records from the Richmond and Fort Lee VA facilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and entitlement to TDIU have been denied as there is no evidence of new and material information or sufficient medical evidence to establish these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, claimed as bilateral foraminal stenosis of the lumbar/sacroiliac junction. The case is remanded for further development and an examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, breathing-related disability, and lower back disability are granted. The Veteran is denied for higher initial ratings or earlier effective dates for her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for diabetes mellitus due to lack of new and material evidence. The TDIU claim is remanded as there is competent evidence indicating the Veteran may be unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as his nonservice-connected dementia was the primary cause of his need for assistance.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar disability, finding that his in-service fall led to his current condition. The claim is based on direct evidence and not secondary or presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder also claimed as memory loss was granted. Other claims were remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The case is remanded for consideration of service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection, initial ratings for neuropathy and retinopathy/cataracts, as well as a TDIU claim. The low back disability is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service or any diagnosed condition. Initial ratings for lower extremity neuropathies are also denied. Separate compensable ratings for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and bilateral cataracts are not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back, left ankle, neck, right ankle, and left foot disabilities, have been denied as the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and active service.,Service connection has also been denied for a mental disability, headache disability, sleep apnea, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for further examination. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining additional medical records and verifying stressful events during service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD with IVDS and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as service connection, based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has found that VA did not substantially comply with the September 2017 Board remand and thus the case is being returned for further development to obtain missing treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination as there are questions regarding the adequacy of the current evidence, particularly in relation to the Veteran's service connection claims.