Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened six previously denied claims of service connection and remanded them for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine if her current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 10 percent, and her initial compensable rating for atopic dermatitis prior to December 16, 2013 was granted. However, a rating in excess of 60 percent for atopic dermatitis from December 16, 2013 onwards is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's epilepsy is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for low back disability has been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim. The claim remains denied.,The Veteran's stroke residuals are not service connected due to lack of direct or secondary service connection.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, heart disease, hypertension, sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, low back/lumbar spine disability, right shoulder, knee, ankle, and/or foot disabilities, and psychiatric disorder have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's assertions regarding his current diagnoses are not credible.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee status post meniscectomy, resulting in their dismissal.

The claim for a clothing allowance is being remanded due to the need for further development of the record, including documentation of the appellant's use of her back brace and its impact on her clothing.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine disabilities, including L5-S1 lumbar disc bulge and lumbar strain, as well as his right knee disabilities, including patellar osteophyte and right knee strain, are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral hand disability (including CTS), and bilateral lower extremity disability (including neuropathy and radiculopathy) as the evidence did not show a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and special monthly compensation have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder, low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service and/or due to injuries sustained or aggravated during periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) or Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, breast cancer residuals, back condition, left hip condition, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraines, and vitiligo have been denied.,The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for joint pain. The Veteran's current symptoms are not related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, is related to an in-service injury. The bilateral leg disorders, diagnosed as left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy and right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy, are proximately due to his back disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and a higher rating for his left knee condition, remanding the cases for further development. The low back disorder claim is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service. The sinus disorder claim requires additional examination and opinion regarding its relationship to service. The left knee arthritis claim is also remanded due to lack of information on flare-ups.

The Board has remanded both the lumbar spine osteoarthritis and bilateral knees claims due to incomplete examination reports. The Veteran will need a new VA examination for these conditions.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury. The claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, back disability (claimed as arthritis all over), and bilateral shoulder disability are remanded due to lack of evidence of current disabilities. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The claim for service connection of a low back disorder is reopened and the appeal is granted to that extent. The Board has also remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and higher initial ratings for lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and denied increased ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis, total left knee arthroplasty, and postoperative right total knee arthroplasty prior to December 6, 2016 and from January 17, 2018.