Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's clothing was damaged by his knee braces and topical medication for service-connected conditions. The Board granted a clothing allowance for the damage caused by the knee braces, but denied the claim for the topical medication.

The Board denied service connection for right hand, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's in-service fall.

The Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for hypertension, a back disorder, and right hand tremors have been dismissed. Service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. Service connection for erectile dysfunction has been denied as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for insomnia, an increased evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of insomnia or any other sleep disorder disability. For his degenerative disc disease, the Board determined that the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability warranting an increased rating beyond 10 percent. For his allergic rhinitis, the Board concluded that the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability. The Board also denied service connection for lumbar spine arthritis. The reasons given were that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to new diagnoses, but remanded for further clarification and medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder and the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disorders are found to be the primary cause of his current major depressive disorder. The Veteran's other service-connected conditions do not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for a clothing allowance for knee brace and topical medication were denied. However, the Board granted a clothing allowance for his back brace due to credible testimony indicating it caused damage to his clothes.

The claim of service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain beginning on April 25, 2017. The Veteran also received a total rating for compensation based on individual unemployability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for right wrist disability and back disability, but denied service connection for both conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of sleep apnea, colorectal cancer and small intestine resection, olecranon spur, right elbow, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and requests for additional VA spine examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include service connection for various conditions, with some requiring initial compensable ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine disabilities are related to her military service. The Board found an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether these conditions were caused by or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's low back disability is now rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision.,The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is now rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and low back strain, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disabilities and associated bilateral lower extremity neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and requests for authorization of medical records.