Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder. However, it is denied as there is no medical opinion linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent and his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent. The combined rating is 30 percent. An evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, right foot, pulmonary, and skin disabilities. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is advised to provide updated medical records from various VA facilities and complete a VA Form 21-4142 for any private providers who have treated his disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the rating for low back disability and service connection for unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran's low back disability needs a new VA examination due to recent worsening, and his psychiatric disorder requires an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, allergic rhinitis, right shoulder strain, and chronic sinusitis are granted. However, the claims for right shoulder disability and chronic sinusitis need to be remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to determine if there is a current diagnosis of back disability and hepatitis, and to ascertain their severity.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability and remanded it for further development. The claims for service connection for schizophrenia and dementia are also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar muscle spasm and thoracic spondylosis, finding a medical nexus between active service and the Veteran's conditions. Service connection was also granted for gout of the right foot, but the claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and credibility determination, requiring a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to service or her bilateral foot condition.

The Veteran's spondylolisthesis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are rated at 20 percent since September 15, 2017. This is a higher rating than previously granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for low back disorder, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy. The cervical spine disorder claim is also remanded due to insufficient evidence in the original rating decision.

The Board has not decided the service connection claims for low back and left knee disabilities. The claim for low back disability was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted, while the claim for left knee disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to a fall on May 20, 2008 during VA treatment because there is no evidence that the fall caused additional disability and no fault was found on the part of VA.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis and right foot fracture have resulted in permanent loss of use of the right foot, qualifying him for financial assistance to purchase an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding the severity of his knee conditions.

The Board has granted disability ratings for the service-connected low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the prior final October 2010 rating decision.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and denied claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, colon cancer, and mass on the liver. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a finger condition and a lumbar spine condition, claimed as due to retained shrapnel, is dismissed. The Board finds no current evidence of retained shrapnel or bullet fragments in the Veteran’s spine.