Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's depressive disorder was not related to service.,Service connection for DJD or DDD of the lumbar spine is denied due to lack of a link between the condition and active service or service-connected low back strain.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased rating for degenerative disc disease of lumbosacral spine and TDIU prior to July 17, 2017 due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran needs an adequate VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for a left hip disability, lumbar spine disability, skin condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and undiagnosed illness manifested by non-specific joint pain (left hip) need further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lower back disability may be service connected as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, but needs further evidence and an opinion from a medical expert.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the effective date for hypertension was set at July 4, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, medical records, and development of the record.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for his right knee brace, left knee brace, and back brace issued in 2015. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a nerve condition of the left arm, including carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to any in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back and neck disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's lay statements indicate she experienced pain during active duty, but VA examinations were cancelled without explanation. The Board finds it appropriate to reschedule the VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50% effective from the date of this decision. The other claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a dental disorder, lumbar strain, and bilateral pes planus were denied. The lumbar strain claim was not granted as the evidence did not show limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes of IVDS. The bilateral pes planus claim was also not granted due to lack of symptoms consistent with a 50% rating under DC 5276 or DC 5278.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and bilateral knee disability as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for improved pension benefits was denied as his income exceeded the maximum allowable pension rate. The Board found that the Veteran’s countable annual income, after deducting medical expenses, exceeded $16,051 and therefore did not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected pension.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depressive disorder) are remanded. The Board found that further efforts should be made to verify the stressor events and obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lower back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, both of which are believed to be related to events during his military service.

Service connection granted for various disabilities including bilateral shoulder, neck, back, hip, leg, and foot osteoarthritis as well as peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities secondary to diabetes mellitus. Service connection is also remanded for anemia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the extent that he is precluded from performing a job in the music or IT field, and his occupation for which he was rehabilitated remains suitable. Therefore, reentrance into vocational rehabilitation is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right ear hearing loss, hypertension, and eczematous dermatitis are all rated at their maximum levels. The claims for increased ratings are denied.