Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for a supplemental opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).,The Veteran's deep vein thrombosis of the right lower extremity is remanded for a supplemental opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected diabetes.,The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain is remanded for a new VA examination to assess functional loss and range of motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and left upper extremity paresthesia (left ulnar neuropathy) as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability. The reduction in evaluation from 40% to 30% for the left shoulder disability was found to be proper.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the issues of service connection for back disability and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's Schmorl’s nodes of the lumbar spine are found to be etiologically related to her active service and service connection is granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for multilevel spondyloarthropathy with disc bulging (claimed as low back pain) and right knee meniscal tear, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as severe lumbar spondylosis, severe degenerative disc disease at L4/5 and L5/S1, and L4/5 and L5/S1 spondylolisthesis, is attributable to service. As such, the claim for service connection has been granted.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and the Veteran's back condition. The case has been remanded to obtain additional records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back strain with degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation, as well as insufficient evidence on employability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee, neck, and low back disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for these conditions are not specified in this decision.

The claim for service connection of low back disability is reopened and remanded due to the need for a medical opinion on the nature and etiology of any diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations. Her eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for allergic rhinitis and lumbar degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. The conditions are found to be attributable to service.

The claim for service connection of a low back disorder has been reopened and remanded. The claim for a compensable evaluation for left-hand contusion is also remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability, an increased rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 23, 2017, and 40 percent thereafter, for right shoulder instability, an increased rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 23, 2017, and 40 percent thereafter, for a back condition, and an increased rating in excess of 30 percent prior to August 23, 2017, and 70 percent thereafter, for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's CAD, peripheral vascular disease, depressive disorder NOS, and right leg tendonitis are all granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. The arthritis and hip disabilities were denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for various conditions, including low back disorder, bilateral foot disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and bilateral hearing loss. Additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service or events therein.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown to be related to his military service.,His left shoulder, right shoulder, low back, multiple joint pain, and eye disorder (claimed as lack of depth perception) conditions are also not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and remanded the issue of evaluating a low back strain.