Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for lumbar sciatica/radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were also remanded.

The Veteran's back brace was granted a clothing allowance for the year 2014 due to wear and tear on her clothing. However, the bilateral wrist braces/splints were denied as they are not related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as an increased rating for his low back strain, are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The RO is instructed to review this evidence and issue a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of opinions.,A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a stomach condition related to his period of service. The claim for service connection for neuropathy of the right lower extremity will also be remanded, as the examiner's opinion was unclear regarding whether it is secondary to his lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of opinions. The VA examination should assess if any flare-ups have affected the Veteran’s range of motion, pain levels, and functional loss.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's cervical spondylosis and right knee strain. The examiner will need to consider the frequency and length of any incapacitating episodes in the past year.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of opinions. A VA examination should assess if any flare-ups have affected the Veteran’s range of motion, pain levels, and functional loss.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's scar from a hand injury. The examiner will need to consider the frequency and length of any incapacitating episodes in the past year.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of opinions. A VA examination should assess if any flare-ups have affected the Veteran’s range of motion, pain levels, and functional loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, right ankle, and bilateral calf cramping disabilities. The claims are remanded to obtain VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of her service-connected left shoulder and back disabilities are remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for left lower extremity, lumbar spine, bilateral ear, skin or skin cancer, and psychiatric disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The Veteran's claim for nasal fracture residuals is also remanded as he has not been provided a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorder and lumbar spine disorder due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation, and a VA examination is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) housebound based on her service-connected disabilities, finding that she does not meet the criteria for SMC housebound as defined by law and regulations.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including amyloid myopathy (also claimed as polymyositis), COPD, foot drop, rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, and spine disorders. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the etiology of these conditions due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain and sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a headache disorder, low back disorder, left ankle disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete examinations and lack of opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and requests that additional records be obtained from various VA facilities.

The claim to reopen a service connection for lumbar strain is granted. The issue of whether the reduction in rating for left forearm post traumatic median neuropathy from 50% to 30% effective as of February 1, 2016, was proper is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, sciatic nerve impairment, cervical spine disorder, and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions and missing private treatment records.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those related to the Veteran's eye condition, hearing loss, tinnitus, blood in lungs and mouth (secondary to hypertension), heart condition, hypertension, nervous condition, and back disability. The appeals are being remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with herniated discs is rated at 20 percent from July 28, 2011, to October 13, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a back disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's sleep apnea is being evaluated in relation to her service-connected hypothyroidism, while the back disorder claim requires an SOC as no statement of the case has been issued.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, left hip, and right hip conditions due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.,These conditions are not considered service-connected as they were not incurred during active duty.