Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a lung condition and a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for a separate rating for neurologic abnormalities associated with the service-connected low back pain secondary to sacroiliitis with degenerative arthritis changes and TDIU are being remanded due to issues with the adequacy of the October 2015 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for seizure disorder and back disability as secondary to service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition and left leg spasms as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.,Service connection was also remanded for right hip tendinitis and unspecified polyneuropathy bilateral distal legs, both claimed as secondary to the same service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and facet arthritis, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and left hip bursitis. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, and right ankle disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits due to lack of evidence showing he requires regular aid and attendance or is permanently housebound. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated income information from SSA.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service and that his congenital conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating effective May 2, 2005. The Veteran's SMC based on aid and attendance was granted effective April 3, 2006.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for transitional lumbosacral vertebra with facet arthropathy L5-S1 due to lack of jurisdiction. The left shoulder issue is remanded for further action.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and TDIU prior to September 8, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the cases are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran’s claims of service connection for a right knee disability, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, sleep apnea, TBI, headaches, seizure disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder impingement, low back condition, left knee condition, dry eye syndrome, restrictive airway disease, and hiatal hernia should be remanded due to a lack of in-service complaints or treatment. The Veteran was not afforded an opportunity for a VA examination as his service records show complaints and treatments for each disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee degenerative arthritis as well as atopic dermatitis prior to February 13, 2015, and on or after that date have all been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his right shoulder, low back, and bilateral leg muscle pain disabilities are not shown to be related to active duty.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and right knee disorder. The decision also includes a request for additional VA examinations to determine current diagnoses and associated impairment.

The Veteran's claim for sinusitis was denied as she does not have a current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis.,Her anemia has been evaluated at the non-compensable level since February 2010.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to conflicting evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are expected to impact her ability to work.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea with fatigue, headaches, a lower gastrointestinal disability (IBS), a neck disability (cervical spine arthritis), and a low back disability (lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and facet arthropathy of L5-S1).,Service connection was also granted for a left shoulder disability (degenerative joint disease) based on the Veteran's reports of in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection of a right bicep tear/injury has been remanded.