Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left hip, right knee, and right leg conditions as well as his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's neck, back, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injury disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are now remanded for further development.

New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a right ankle condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and back and right knee conditions. The Veteran's current symptoms are consistent with these diagnoses.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at 40 percent and 20 percent, respectively. The combined rating is 70 percent, qualifying him for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis / degenerative disc disease, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, and denied service connection for a cervical spine condition (claimed as neck condition).

The Board has decided to remand two cases for further examination and evaluation due to the Veteran's complaints of worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for radiculopathy, low back disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to ongoing issues with his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar radiculopathy and remanded the issue of increased rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to his use of back and knee braces is being remanded as the rationale provided did not adequately address the Veteran's statements regarding the nature of his braces. An examination will be conducted to determine if the braces are prescribed for service-connected disabilities and whether they cause wear on his clothes.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of ten percent for a lumbar spine disability has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew their appeal.

The Board dismissed appeals for higher ratings for left shoulder strain and the residuals of left knee arthroplasty. The claim for service connection for hypertension was granted, but the right shoulder disability and lumbar spine disability were denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain has worsened since his last VA examination, and he reported having symptoms of radiating pain through his legs and constant flare-ups. The Board finds that a remand is required to determine the current severity of his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected PTSD, back disability, and radiculopathy. The issues include increased ratings for PTSD and back disability, as well as the effective date for radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease, was not incurred in service and is not related to any in-service injury or illness.,Hypertension was not caused by the Veteran's military service. The examiner noted a significant time gap between separation from service and initial diagnosis of hypertension.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted service connection due to her active duty in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations during the Gulf War. The other conditions are also granted service connection.

Service connection is granted for low back disability as secondary to service-connected pes cavus and left ankle achilles tendonitis. Service connection remains pending for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his left and right hip disabilities. The examiners were not provided with information about a fall in 2009 or other incidents that may have contributed to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, and dry cough is dismissed as the claim has been granted. The issue of service connection for an irregular heartbeat is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and evaluation in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar strain are remanded.