Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, bilateral foot disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral foot disability and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity as they were not found to be due to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's application to reopen her claim for service connection for hypertension was denied. Service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, left foot hammertoes, and arthritis of the cervical spine were granted. The issues regarding service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine and an ear disability (to include dermatitis or eczema) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and further examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for dysthymic disorder was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for low back disability, tinea versicolor, and denied service connection for Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and bilateral foot disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a low back disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded for further evaluation and to determine if a higher disability rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and requests further development including a new VA medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and evaluations to address inconsistencies in his diagnoses and treatment records, particularly regarding lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral pes planus, and major depressive disorder. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Board denied an increased rating higher than 20 percent for the Veteran's low back injury, finding that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion. The current 20 percent rating is considered appropriate given the evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations in May 2011 and May 2014, which did not address the Veteran's flare-ups. The case is now being sent back for a retrospective opinion regarding these findings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation during the periods of concern, as he was able to maintain several entry-level jobs.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and peripheral neuropathy are not related to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracic kyphosis, lumbar scoliosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to new evidence showing that his pre-existing back condition may have been aggravated by military service. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied because the VA-issued Taylor Knight back brace does not cause wear and tear of his clothing, as determined by the Under Secretary for Health.

The Board denied service connection for left hip, right foot, and left foot degenerative joint disease (claimed as arthritis throughout the body) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to active military service.,Service records did not show any indication of back pain or injury during periods of ACDUTRA. The appellant reported recurrent back pain only once in 1983, and her spine was found normal on examination.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spondylosis disability is being remanded for additional examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and left knee disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to her military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining issues were remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his low back disability, sleep apnea, and psychiatric disabilities. The VA is required to provide examinations or obtain medical opinions in order to determine if these conditions are related to service.