Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report, which did not address additional range of motion loss in the Veteran's lumbar spine due to pain on use or during flare-ups. The claim is now pending for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease and neurological deficits have led to the need for a powered mobility device. The VA has denied this claim, but additional evidence is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has granted the reopening of the previously denied claims for osteoarthritis and back pain, but has remanded the right hip disability claim due to outstanding records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for lumbar strain was dismissed due to her request for withdrawal. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for HPV and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia and benign fibroepithelial polyp, labia status post excision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and examination regarding his back disability, as well as claims related to sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, anxiety, tinnitus, and a higher rating for migraine headaches. A statement of the case must be issued for these issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his chronic low back disability is being remanded due to the inaccuracy of previous VA examination reports. A new examination will be scheduled.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disability, low back disability, and left leg radiculopathy. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded due to the lack of STRs and the need for further medical examinations.

The Board has denied a compensable evaluation for healed laceration right long finger status post paronychia abscess with surgical drainage and remanded the issue of an increased evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is now pending.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for lumbar radiculopathy and denied his claims for service connection of lower back condition and neck condition. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and service, as well as no continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for his back brace is granted, as he reported that the brace caused wear and tear to his clothes. The claim for a knee brace is denied because there was no evidence of wear and tear on his clothes.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and remanded the remaining issues on appeal, including service connection for meningitis, chronic sinusitis, encephalopathy, skin cancer, Parkinson's disease, headaches, lumbar spine DDD, vision disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, neck stiffness, disability manifested by spitting blood, acquired psychiatric disorder, respiratory disorder, and gait ataxia. The Board also remanded for additional development regarding outstanding records from the James Haley VAMC and Social Security Administration.

The petition to reopen a claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the low back is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left wrist is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for DJD of the right wrist is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for DJD of the left wrist is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for bilateral knee braces was denied, but her claim for a back brace was granted due to wear and tear on her clothes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral shoulder or neck disability, including bursitis. The case is remanded to determine if these disabilities are related to service.

The Board has granted reopening of the claims for service connection for headaches and left knee disability, but denied reopening of the claim for lumbar spine disability. Service connection is granted for headaches, but not for lumbar spine or left knee disabilities.

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

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and separate ratings of 20 percent are granted for radiculopathy in both lower extremities. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been denied by the Board.