Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his back condition and TDIU claim. His initial increased rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines/cluster headaches, service connection for a right knee condition, service connection for a right foot condition, service connection for a left foot condition, and entitlement to service connection for a back condition are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to new evidence received after the February 2016 Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a heart disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, left hip disorder, left knee disorder, right broken foot, right foot cellulitis, TBI, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's military records indicate he was stationed at Camp LeJeune in 1982, which may be relevant to his heart disorder claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issues of lumbar radiculopathy, renal disease, and neuritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to potential pre-existing conditions, with a focus on whether these disabilities were aggravated by military service or are otherwise directly related to service.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 50% rating for migraine headaches from August 23, 2013 is granted. The claim for reopening of service connection for sleep apnea secondary to service-connected TBI with mood disorder, migraine headaches, or medications taken for service-connected conditions is also granted. The Veteran's low back condition claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for special home adaptation grant, financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or conveyance, and assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing have been denied due to the absence of a service-connected disability that meets the eligibility criteria.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of Meniere's syndrome and granted it. Service connection was denied for low back disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with arthritis is denied as there is no evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional records and clarification regarding previous annual VA clothing allowance determinations, model number of the low back brace issued in 2012, and clinical documentation confirming its issuance. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a back disability was denied as new and material evidence did not relate the current condition to his military service.,The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a right knee scar was denied as no evidence showed an injury in service or related it to his current condition.

The Board denied service connection for cervical strain, left shoulder strain, left trapezius strain, degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbar spine, generalized pain disorder, hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), acute sinusitis, and migraine headaches as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.,The Board found that there was no medical evidence showing a direct link between any of these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records. The issues include service connection for a left knee disorder secondary to bilateral ankle disorders, as well as initial ratings for lumbar strain with retrolisthesis, left and right ankle strains.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and bilateral eye disorder due to incomplete medical records and lack of VA examination. The Veteran will need to undergo further examinations and obtain additional treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder as the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 18, 2004. He is also granted a TDIU effective from the same date.,The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused severe functional impairment and are manifested by social isolation, irritability, depression, and suicidal/homicidal ideation.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for lumbar spine disorder is granted.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for asbestosis is denied. The matter of sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of a fracture of the 5th lumbar vertebra was denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for traumatic arthritis of the right hip and sacroiliac joint was denied because there is no evidence showing limitation of motion to less than 20 degrees in flexion.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar strain and left knee tendonitis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, right sciatic nerve, and TDIU due to incomplete examination reports and issues related to flare-ups. A new VA examination is needed.