Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and hypertension are all granted initial ratings. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been established, and the appeal for service connection of recurrent lumbar spine disorder, recurrent right knee disorder, and right neck scar is remanded due to lack of VA examinations addressing these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service as a paratrooper, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been remanded due to the issue being intertwined with a separate claim regarding residuals of TBI with dizziness.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disability and for increased ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative arthropathy have been remanded.

The Veteran's right wrist condition, hammertoe of the left foot, and bilateral hearing loss have been remanded for further review. The service connection claims for these conditions are pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, and genital herpes due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a below-knee amputation of the right leg due to VA treatment directing the cessation of Plavix was denied as there is no evidence that discontinuance of Plavix caused the amputation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back condition, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, hypothyroidism, and a stomach condition (GERD), all potentially related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic upper/lower back condition has been reopened, but the Board remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his thoracolumbar spine disability. The left knee disability rating is also being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, low back disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Service connection was granted for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's anxiety disorder claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a psychiatric disorder, both secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus. The Veteran needs to undergo VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was reopened due to new and material evidence, but the appeal is still pending as a remand has been ordered.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance was remanded due to insufficient reasons and bases provided in the denial. The Board found that the Veteran’s back brace causes wear on his clothing, but there is no evidence of damage from mupirocin used for alopecia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to incomplete examinations, lack of updated treatment records, and other procedural issues. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed right shoulder and hip disabilities as well as the severity of his service-connected residuals of a coccyx fracture.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine is remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, bilateral leg tingling, and increased rating for left knee scar have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected depression.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for back disability and TDIU due to worsening symptoms since the last examination. A new VA examination is needed, and the Veteran's prison medical records are requested.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's death was caused by cirrhosis of the liver, which is secondary to his service-connected back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder. Service connection for a liver disability, low back disability, right lower extremity sciatica, left lower extremity sciatica, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) has been granted.